The EC said seizures of freebies ahead of Saturday’s Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh had increased five-fold compared to 2017. (Express Archive)Chinese toys worth Rs 64 crore has been seized from Mundra port in Gujarat and make up 90 per cent of total seizures made so far by the Election Commission which is enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the poll-bound state.
“Total items worths Rs 71 crore have been seized so far. This includes Rs 64 crore of freebies which fall in the category of other items, under which DRI has seized from Mundra port Chinese toys worth Rs 64 crore,” said Kuldeep Arya, additional chief electoral officer.
When asked if these toys were meant for any political party, the Arya added, “It is not clear if the toys are directly related to the elections. It is currently being investigated.”
Election Officials later said that apart from DRI, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs have also apprehended similar consignment of toys.
“There has been a seizure of toys on Friday too. However, the worth of the seizure will be revealed later,” the official added.
On Friday, Election Commission issued a press note in Delhi on the “record seizures” made in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.
“As a drive, the results are encouraging with Gujarat witnessing seizures of Rs 71.88 crore in just few days of announcement of elections which surpasses even the seizures made in entire duration of enforcement of Model Code of Conduct in assembly elections 2017 which was Rs 27.21 crore.”
The EC release stated that the “toys and accessories” seized from Mundra port were being smuggled by way of misdeclaration and by resorting to concealment in import cargo.
Two persons including the mastermind has been arrested in this case, the release added.
The EC officials in Gujarat said Friday that between November 3 and11, a total of 10,150 cases have been filed under the Gujarat Prohibition Act and 8,346 people have been arrested.
Under the Act, Rs 10 crore of items have been seized which includes Rs 4.05 crore of IMFL and Rs 8.38 lakh of country-made liquor.
Under the Arms Act 1959, 26 illegal weapons and 49 catridges have been seized by the police. Similarly, under the NDPS Act, 17 cases have been filed and Rs 1.01 crore of narcotic substances have been seized.
The 1,638 static surveillance teams, 586 flying squads and 140 inter-state check posts have 86.56 lakh worth of cash and ornaments have been seized. Five cases have been filed in Valsad, Ahmedabad city, Bharuch and Surat city where Rs 48.83 lakh cash and Rs 38.73 lakh ornaments have been seized.
Till now, 85.6 per cent of the weapons with permit in the state have been deposited and since November 3, a total of 16,305 non-bailable warrants have been executed.