Cash, drugs, liquor spoiling poll flavour in HP

SHIMLA: Recognized internationally for illegal cultivation of high quality cannabis, Himachal Pradesh, like its neighbouring state Punjab, is witnessing rise in use of money, drugs and liquor in the elections. Total amount of cash, drugs, liquor and other items seized by flying squads of Election Commission (EC) has been calculates to be over Rs 36.22 lakh, while drugs, liquor and cash seized by police totals around Rs 95.90 lakh. Besides police and EC flying squads, Static Surveillance Team (SST) too seized cash and other items valued over Rs 1 crore. While cash seized by SST amounts to be Rs 77.20 lakh, value of liquor, ornaments and other items seized till April 29 totals over Rs 32.14 lakh.

Himachal police during nakas laid across the state since the announcement of model code of conduct seized 231 kg poppy husk, 48.3 kg charas, 1.6 kg opium, 116 gm heroin, over 14,000 liters of country-made liquor and 4,780 liters of English liquor. According to officials, special nakas have been laid on all the entry points of Himachal, besides flying squads and police teams conducting surprise checking of vehicles at different locations.

A senior official from the election department said that seizure of prohibited capsules and syrups too is a matter of surprise as they too are being used like drugs and liquor. Official said that till April 29, 18,476 prohibited capsules and 43,500 ml prohibited syrup was recovered by police authorities from different parts of the state.

So far 401 FIRs have been registered by the police authorities while EC flying squad has registered only one FIR. Sources said that over the years, politicians and their supporters have started making use of money, liquor and drugs in the elections to woo voters in Himachal Pradesh. In the assembly elections held in 2012, Election Commission had taken various measures to stop use of money and liquor in the polls but despite that free flow of money and liquor from neighbouring states of Haryana and Punjab was witnessed.

Before the assembly polls of November 4, 2012, EC had seized around Rs 1.5 crore unaccounted cash, besides huge quantity of liquor from different entry points. During the assembly polls EC teams in Himachal had seized over 95,13,347 ML of liquor and most of it was brought from neighbouring states.

Former IAS officer and social activist R S Negi, convener of Him Jagriti Manch, said that increased use of money, drugs and liquor in the election was a matter of concern as this shows how much the political system has deteriorated over the years. "Instead of wooing voters with their agendas, they are using money, liquor and drugs, which is dangerous for the democratic setup and needs to be stopped at once," he added.