Drugs and fake currency in polls: EC writes to BSF, NCB
In the wake of large-scale movement of drugs and fake currency in poll-bound states, the Election Commission has issued fresh directions to the BSF and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to tighten vigil.
The poll body's action comes in the wake of recent seizure of about 45 kgs of heroin from Amritsar and adjoining areas where an alleged Pakistani intruder was killed by BSF troopers when he was trying to smuggle in the contraband.
Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) were also seized by both the agencies and local police in the poll-bound states.
The EC has asked for reports regarding the latest seizures made by the Border Security Force (BSF) and NCB, since the poll schedule was announced.
"The EC has asked both the BSF and the Narcotics Control Bureau to intensify vigil on the borders so that the contraband is not used to lure voters," a senior BSF official said quoting the EC directions.
The EC has also sought for a detailed report on all such seizures and operations from the border guarding force and the NCB, the official said.
The NCB has been asked to take additional measures and gather intelligence inputs on the illegal transport of banned drugs in poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand and Manipur.
NCB Director General O P S Malik had last month met EC officials and briefed them about the measures the agency is taking to curb misuse of contraband during polls.
A number of drug and alkaloid manufacturing units are based in Punjab and Goa while the borders along Pakistan and Nepal are notorious for the smuggling of such contraband.
In order to curb the use of illegal cash during polls, the EC has already directed the Income Tax department and other enforcement agencies to keep a tab on illegal funds and transactions.
