Over Rs 51 crore seized in Meghalaya

SHILLONG, FEB 14: Total cash seizure as on February 9, was Rs 51.27 crore, chief electoral officer FR Kharkongor told reporters on Tuesday.

Of this, Rs 6 crore was in cash and Rs 23 crore plus is from drugs and narcotic seizure and the remaining amount is from other categories, he said.

Asked on the law and order situation in the state, Kharkongor said that Meghalaya has always been a peaceful state when it comes to the conduct of elections.

“Even at the height of militancy way back in 2008-2013, elections were conducted peacefully and if there is any incident of violence it is more of an aberration it is not the usual norm. So we hope and we anticipate barring a few isolated incidents that the polling will be conducted peacefully, free and fair,” he asserted.

Stating that adequate companies of paramilitary forces have been allotted by the Election Commission this time for Meghalaya, Kharkongor said, “They have earmarked 119 companies of which 40 companies are already here in fact usually companies arrives just close to the poll day but now we have already received 40 companies way ahead.”

Apart from that, he said after Tripura polls, the state will be getting another 79 companies and the deployment plan has already been prepared by the police.

“We have already had a meeting with the police team and as per requirement these will be deployed in both Khasi-Jaintia Hills regions as well as in the Garo Hills region,” he added.