Narcotics seizure on upswing during polls

SHILLONG, Feb 12: The seizure of narcotics in the state is on the higher side now as compared to the non-election period.
“We have so far seized around Rs 23.27 crore worth of narcotics. The major seizures were made at the various entry points into the districts, Umiam, East Jaintia Hills and even in Shillong city. The seizure has been really high in all the transit points,” Chief Election Officer FR Kharkongor told The Shillong Times on Sunday.
Kharkongor attributed the huge seizure of narcotics to the dedicated efforts of the enforcement agencies who are working with greater focus because of the measures put in by the Election Commission. The presence of flying surveillance teams (FSTs) and static surveillance teams (SSTs) is also helping the cause, he said.
“All agencies have been working together in a collaborative and cohesive mode after the model code of conduct came into force on January 18 which has led to significant increase in the volume of seizure,” the CEO said.
Asked how the Election department will dispose of the cash which has been seized, he said it would be handled by the Election Expenditure Monitoring (EEM) committee, headed by the deputy commissioner.
Kharkongor said that a team of 21 central expenditure observers and others would verify the seizure based on the documentation provided to them. If the documentation is genuine then the seized money would be returned to the claimant.
“But if the concerned person cannot produce documents and if answers are doubtful then they are kept till such times where the election are on and then these committees will review it. If the seizure is Rs 10 lakh and more than the Income Tax authorities stationed in Shillong and Tura are informed,” the CEO said.
Kharkongor also said that any suspicious transaction or movement of cash above Rs 10 lakh is verified by the Income Tax department.
Reiterating that Meghalaya has 34 “expenditure sensitive” constituencies, the CEO said, “We are taking serious note of the various inducements. We will be taking more stringent measures in the coming days to ameliorate the poll process in relation to the aspect of free and fair polls.”
Informing that the Election department has received an initial instalment of Rs 40 crore for conducting the polls, he said, “We will have the final picture on the expenditure once the election process is over since the law-and-order component will also need to be incorporated.”