CEC Rajiv Kumar asks Maharashtra DGP to ensure strict clampdown on politically motivated crime

New Delhi [India], October 29 : Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Tuesday asked Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP) to ensure a strict clampdown against politically motivated crime, sources told ANI.
According to the sources, ECI today holds a review meeting with the Chief Secretary, DGP, and other top officials of Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and their border states to assess the law-and-order situation for the upcoming assembly elections in both states.
During the review meeting, CEC expressed his concern that politically motivated crimes vitiate the electoral atmosphere and disturb the level playing field.
The Commission has issued strict instructions for stepping up the efforts to curb the inflow of inducements including cash, liquor, narcotics, precious metals, and other freebies to the poll-bound states ahead of the elections.
So far, Rs 345 crores worth of seizures have been made from the announcement of the elections till date with over Rs 114 crores worth of seizures in Jharkhand and Rs 175 crores in Maharashtra, and the remaining seizures from the by-election bound states in the country. Seizures so far have already surpassed 2019 Assembly elections seizures in Maharashtra and Jharkhand which were a total of Rs 122.67 Crores.
CEC Kumar also cautioned the administration and law enforcement authorities in Jharkhand to be even-handed in their dealings with political functionaries and ensure that no authority is exercised in a mala fide manner.
The Commission underscored the importance of strict vigilance and intelligence to curb the movement of contraband items, including narcotics, liquor, arms, and explosives across inter-state borders. Directed for identification of exit and entry points for movement of such illicit items for strict vigil and seizures.