With the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) elections just a week away, a major enforcement crackdown is underway across the city. Authorities are intensifying efforts to curb the use of money, liquor, and other inducements to influence voters, leading to significant seizures.
Major Seizures Across City Prabhags
Enforcement teams have been fanning out across Nagpur, resulting in the confiscation of illegal materials worth lakhs of rupees. So far, illegal liquor worth Rs 7 lakh and drugs valued at approximately Rs 14 lakh have been seized from more than a dozen electoral prabhags (wards).
The crackdown has revealed a widespread pattern of violations. Country-made liquor was recovered from several areas, including prabhags 5, 8, 13, and 14. In separate actions, foreign liquor was seized from prabhags 15 and 28, indicating the scale of the issue across the city.
Intensified Surveillance and Joint Operations
As polling day on January 15 approaches, surveillance has been ramped up significantly. The civic administration has formed special squads to enforce the Model Code of Conduct strictly. Heightened vigilance is being maintained not only within the city but also along its borders to prevent the inflow of illicit materials.
In a coordinated effort, a joint team comprising officials from the NMC, the excise department, and the police has stepped up action against illegal liquor distribution and criminal elements. Details of these operations, which led to the seizure of liquor and drugs worth several lakhs, have been submitted to the State Election Commission.
Specific Incidents and Weapon Recovery
The enforcement drive has uncovered multiple specific incidents. On January 4, authorities seized Rs 9.4 lakh in cash from the Jaripatka area. In other operations, the excise department confiscated a total of 1,640 litres of country-made and foreign liquor, with a collective value of Rs 6.78 lakh.
Beyond intoxicants, the crackdown has also targeted weapons. Police have recovered 18.34 kg of drugs, estimated to be worth Rs 14 lakh. Additionally, the operations led to the seizure of 10 swords, 4 cartridges, and 1 country-made firearm, among other illegal weapons.
Model Code Violations and Follow-up Actions
NMC's special teams have detected around 15 cases of alleged model code violations since the campaign began. Notably, seven cases were reported on Wednesday alone, prompting immediate action from the authorities.
However, officials noted a challenge in some investigations. Follow-up spot inspections conducted after initial reports did not yield concrete evidence in several instances, highlighting the difficulties in securing prosecutions.
The sustained enforcement activity underscores the administration's focus on ensuring free and fair elections for the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. With the election date looming, authorities have signaled that the crackdown on inducements will continue unabated.
