Six times liquor, drugs & cash seized in HP poll: DGP

Election Machinery and state police claimed siezure of illicit liquor cash and drugs six times more than previous Election, this was stated by Himachal Director General of police Sanjay Kundu in a press release issued here today.

He said that since 14-10-2022, after the announcement of elections in the state till its conclusion on 12-11-2022 as many as  1,70,720 liters of illicit liquor, 33 kg charas, 1275 grams of heroin (chitta) by the state police.  126 grams of Ganja, 347 grams of sawdust poppy and cash and other items of Rs.4,20,91,940/- were seized under the Mining Act, fined Rs.33,60,000/- by challaning 572 People. Total 67 proclaimed offenders arrested,  across the state  88,532 licensed weapons were deposited in police stations which is 91 pc  of the total issued licensed weapons, 945 persons were bound down under various Acts.  In addition, 863 non-bailable warrants were also disposed of during the same period.  He said that as soon as the elections were announced, the model code of conduct came into force in the state to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections  strict security arrangements were made by the Police Department. 232 Flying Squads and 232 Static Surveillance Teams teams were formed across the state.  108 barriers and entry points along the border with neighboring states were sealed and police force was deployed at all these places.  Apart from this, CCTV cameras were installed at these 108 barriers and entry points, through which people and vehicles coming and going were monitored.  Central police forces were deployed in 67 companies to stop the supply of liquor during elections.  .  Apart from this, 2,500 home guards were deployed in the state from Uttarakhand and 1.381 home guards from the states of Uttar Pradesh.  To ensure peaceful elections in the state, 11,847 police personnel and 4,500 home guards of different ranks of the state police were also deployed on election duty.  Central security forces were deployed in each critical polling station to ensure peaceful and free elections, while Himachal Police and home guards were deployed at other polling booths. He said that after voting, all the polled EVMs have been safely deposited in the strong rooms set up in 68 constituencies across the state.  3 Tier Security System was installed to protect Strong Rooms . Counting of votes would be held on December 8.