Even before the electoral battle could start in right earnest, the crackdown by the election authorities in Andhra Pradesh has already yielded a big haul of cash of more than Rs 37 crore. The authorities who have set up check posts all over the State have also seized gold and liquor.
In the latest such seizure, Rs 9 lakh was recovered from a vehicle coming from Odisha to Vizinagaram district at P Konavalasa checkpost on Wednesday.
So far, Nellore district bordering Tamil Nadu, which has the reputation for being the richest district in the State tops the list with the seizure of Rs 8.2 crore out of the Rs 37.59 crore seized. Authorities have also seized 19.79 kgs of gold.
Officials said that this was the result of work of only a fortnight. As Andhra Pradesh is included among the States where the politicians and parties spend exorbitant amounts of money, the election and police officials started their search operations of vehicles at the very early stage of the election process.
Interestingly, the politicos or their supporters were also caught trying to transport lPG cylinders, sarees, fake ornaments and various goods to woo the voters.“So far 20,624 liters of Indian Made Foreign liquor and 425,239 Indian Made liquor and 6128 illicit liquor was seized”, said Bhanwarlal, the Chief Electoral officer of the State.
The strict vigil and search operation by the police has yielded many other benefit like catching the gangs of smugglers and recovering heroin and other items used in making liquor which remains the most popular commodity among the politicians to woo the voter.
However seizure of cash has also evoked hue and cry from the trading community which complained that most of the cash being carried was part of the business transaction but the police seized it on the ground that those carrying it had nothing to prove their claim.
Police and election authorities have already issued a warning that those carrying huge amounts of cash should also carry necessary documents.
Responding to the complaints of harassment and unwarranted seizures, CEO Bhanwarlal said that the people can contact him over dedicated phone line No 1590 and lodge a complain immediately.