GUWAHATI: Authorities in Assam have intensified their crackdown on election-related malpractices, with recent reports revealing significant cash seizures.
In an operation on Thursday, flying squad reportedly nabbed Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) secretary Jintu Hazarika in Lakhimpur.
Hazarika was found in possession of a significant sum of cash amounting to Rs 5 lakh, 81 thousand.
Officials suspect that the cash was intended for election-related activities, possibly to sway voters in favour of the party.
Simultaneously, in another operation in Assam’s Karimganj earlier in the day, authorities intercepted a vehicle at a checkpoint and seized over Rs 22 lakhs.
The cash, amounting to Rs 22,95,500, was found concealed inside a Bolero vehicle during a routine checking.
The driver, identified as Abdus Sabur, attempted to evade the authorities but was apprehended after a chase and was taken into custody for questioning.
Since the announcement of the Assam election dates, the election commission’s flying squad and other agencies have intensified efforts to curb illegal activities.
According to state election commission reports issued on April 5, they have seized a significant amount of illegal arms, cash, drugs, and liquor worth a total of Rs 115.8 crore as of April 4.
Detailing the seizures, the reports added that the agencies have seized Rs 26.05 crore in cash, Rs 36.5 crore worth of liquor, Rs 34.38 crore worth of narcotics and drugs, Rs 3.69 crore worth of jewellery, and other items worth Rs 15.18 crore across the state.
Moreover, security forces have confiscated 55 illegal arms and 903 rounds of ammunition in the state, with over 5,400 licensed arms deposited in various districts, a senior official in the election commission told the local press.
