Seizures worth Rs40 cr made by EC since January 14

Tribune News Services

Chandigarh, January 15

After the model code of conduct was imposed in the state for the Punjab Vidhan Sabha elections, various enforcement teams have seized valuables worth Rs 40.31 crore in violation of the code till January 14.

Giving details in this regard, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Dr S Karuna Raju said the surveillance teams had seized 2.72 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 81 lakh. Similarly, the enforcement wings had also recovered psychotropic substances amounting to Rs 38.93 crore besides confiscating unaccounted cash of Rs 14 lakh, he added.

The Chief Electoral Officer revealed that 1,064 highly sensitive areas had been identified. Besides, 2,222 persons had been identified as probable sources of trouble, he said adding that of those, preventive action had already been initiated against 894 persons, while the remaining would also be brought to book. He said from security point of view, preventive measures had been taken against 118 persons. The CEO said 2,064 cases of non-bailable warrants had been executed, while execution in 239 cases was under process. As many as 3,692 nakas were operational across the state, he added.

As many as 53,610 defacements of public properties, while 14,911 on private properties, had been removed.

As per the directions of the election commission, Dr Raju said till date, 3,23,102 licenced weapons had been deposited in the state, whereas 20 without-licence weapons were seized in the state.