Comprehensive Security and Anti-Smuggling Measures In Place for 2024 Assembly Elections
Comprehensive Security and Anti-Smuggling Measures In Place for 2024 Assembly Elections
Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Kolhapur Police Seize ₹ 19.13 Crore In Cash, Gold, Liquor, And Drugs In Pre-Election Crackdown With 24/7 Border Checks
In line with the 2024 Assembly elections, the Model Code of Conduct has been enforced since October 15, 2024. Against this backdrop, Inspector General of Police for Kolhapur Division, Mr. Sunil Phulari, directed district police superintendents across five districts to intensify and ensure sustained action against illegal activities, including unauthorized businesses, weapons, drugs, alcohol, cash, and election freebies.
Key actions taken up to November 10, 2024, include the seizure of:
– ₹6.64 crore in cash,
– Liquor and chemicals worth ₹2.83 crore,
– 113 kg of cannabis valued at ₹22,24,665,
– Gold worth ₹7.57 crore (9 kg) and 60 kg of silver,
– Gutkha worth ₹1.87 crore,
bringing the total seized contraband value to approximately ₹19.13 crore.
In preparation for the Assembly elections, stringent preventive actions were taken, resulting in:
– 24,047 cases under BNSS Section 126,
– 243 under BNSS Section 128,
– 1,824 under BNSS Section 129,
– 27 under BNSS Section 170,
– 8,136 under BNSS Section 135(3),
– 2 under MPDA,
– 18 under Section 55, 79 under Section 56, and 7 under Section 57 of the Maharashtra Police Act,
– 1 under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) with 7 accused.
Further action continues.
As of November 10, 2024, a total of 23 illegal firearms and 36 cartridges have been seized, with cases registered under the Arms Act Section 3,25 against all accused and preventive action underway.
Regarding Model Code of Conduct violations across Kolhapur, 3 cognizable and 9 non-cognizable cases were registered; Sangli recorded 1 cognizable and 2 non-cognizable cases; Solapur (Rural) recorded 1 cognizable and 1 non-cognizable; Pune (Rural) recorded 5 cognizable and 3 non-cognizable cases. Timely investigations are in progress to file charge sheets in court, and election-related preventive actions are underway.
Coordination meetings with Karnataka police, including the Inspector General of Police (Belgaum), Deputy Inspector General of Police (Kalburgi), and Superintendents from Belgaum, Bidar, Kalburgi, and Vijayapur, have been conducted. Enhanced surveillance and checks are being implemented for comprehensive election security.
The Kolhapur, Sangli, and Solapur rural districts share borders with Karnataka. To prevent illegal cross-border smuggling during elections, 36 checkpoints along these borders are operational 24/7. The Inspector General of Police, Kolhapur, recently inspected checkpoints at Kagal and Shivanakvadi (Kolhapur division), Mhaishal (Sangli division), and Katral (Solapur rural division), providing guidance to all department officers and staff.
Representatives from RTO, GST, Excise, and Forest departments are stationed at these posts under a Joint Integrated Post Management initiative, with narcotics detection dogs now being utilized for monitoring.
Meetings with division heads have been held to ensure effective surveillance, prompt preventive actions, raids, enforcement of non-bailable warrants, combing operations, and route marches in sensitive areas. Regular coordination meetings are being conducted with special election observers, district collectors, sub-divisional magistrates, and the Divisional Commissioner regarding deportation cases and MPDA proposals.
To ensure free, fair, and fearless elections, the police department has implemented all necessary security measures. Citizens are encouraged to fully exercise their right to vote. Further intensified action will be taken against illegal activities throughout the election period.
