As the politicians in Gujarat are busy with campaign and finalizing candidates for Assembly polls, the state police is being kept on toes by bootleggers involved in illegal liquor trade.
The police in state has seized liquor worth Rs 25.11 crore since the Election Commission on October 25 announced two-phased polls in the state to be held on December 9 and 14.
“Since the notification, as many as 15,852 cases have been registered under Prohibition Act 1949. During the period, police has seized India Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) valued at Rs 10.67 crore and country made liquor worth Rs 16.40 crore,” Narsimha Komar, Inspector General of Police, told mediapersons.
The police have also impounded vehicles used for bootlegging and raw material used to make country-liquor worth Rs 14.27 crore. Besides, 12,761 persons have been arrested under the Prohibition Act.
Gujarat Chief Election Officer BB Swain said that in view of the state assembly polls, income tax department seized Rs 50 lakh in cash and gold as well as jewelry worth Rs 7.33 crore since the notification for Assembly polls had been issued.
He said that 95 observers have been appointed to monitor expenditure of candidates in the first phase of polling to be held on December 9 and 305 static surveillance teams (SSTs) have been formed to keep a tab on the electoral process.
With a view to maintain law & order in the state during the entire assembly polls season, the police have issued 28,425 non-bailable warrants and detained 714 anti-social elements as an anticipatory measure,” Narsimha Komar said.
DH News
