Nature of election inducements shifted from liquor to drugs: DGP

February 16, 2023 41 Views No Comment

Nagaland Police launches website to monitor hotel guests

Morung Express News
Kohima | February 16

Nagaland Police have seized a considerable amount of liquor and narcotics in the run-up to the general election in the state. As of now, 53 cases have been registered under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS) across the state.

Speaking at the launch of the Nagaland Police Hotel check-in system website, DGP Rupin Sharma said that there has been a shift in the nature of election inducements from liquor to drugs. He attributed it as one of the factors for the high number of drug infiltration cases over the past few months.

In response to a query, the DGP informed that 6 to 8 police personnel have been arrested in connection with drug trafficking in the past few weeks, and investigations are ongoing. “The Law is the same and equal for everybody,” he asserted.

The majority of drugs and alcohol come from Manipur and Assam, and the police department, with its 180 Static Surveillance Team (SST), has been keeping a close watch on the illicit trafficking of drugs and alcohol into the state, the DGP informed.
‘We are mostly going after storages and godowns for liquor and drugs’ he added.

Rs 3.65 crore cash seized
In addition, the police department has seized cash worth Rs 3.65 crore in election-related cases. With the election model code of conduct in place, the permissible limit for cash is Rs 50,000, and so far, 23 election-related cases have been registered, and 23 persons have been arrested.

The DGP also informed that 100 vehicles without number plates have been seized so far, and that the police personnel would continue to monitor and check to prevent misuse of unlicensed vehicles even after election.

Sharma also stated that the situation which had remained volatile in the last few weeks in Wokha and Mokokchung is under control.

Online system to monitor hotel guests
To curb criminal activities, the Nagaland Police has launched an online system to monitor guests staying in hotels and guesthouses across the state. This system will be helpful in the future, not only during the election period, Sharma said. He also expressed hope that the system will be available as an app in the future.

During the launch programme, the proprietor of Elysium Enterprise, Bendang Imchen, explained the technical aspects of the system, saying that hoteliers could register by visiting the website http://nglphotelcheckin.com and entering details of any guest staying in their hotels.

Need to upgrade forensic labs
Meanwhile, the DGP also stressed the need to upgrade the forensic labs as the number of drug trafficking cases has increased in the state.

Responding to queries, he noted that the current lab needs upgrading, and the state has to do it themselves as nobody else will come and do it for them. Currently samples from the state are being send to outside which, he said take times and instances of unnecessary delays in getting the results, he said.

The Police department also informed that facial recognition softwares would be put in place for tracking down criminals and the DGP has therefore appealed all concerned to stay away from any criminal activities.

Overall seizure by enforcement agencies
Meanwhile, a release from the Media Cell of the Chief Electoral Office, Nagaland informed that the monetary value of the progressive seizures made by the various enforcement agencies, both central and state, from the date of announcement of General Election to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly 2023 till February 14 was Rs 39,18,78,795.

A total of Rs 3,25,37,365 were cash seizures while 40925.65 litres of IMFL worth Rs 4,41,49,700 were also seized, it said.

Notably, the enforcement agencies also made a haul of drugs and narcotics (3.06 kgs) worth Rs 27,78,00,905. Other seized materials included ‘freebies/other items’ worth Rs 3,73,89,160 and precious metal (silver- 0.02332 kgs) worth Rs 1,665.

The total included the seizures made on February 14 which included 2163.685 litres of liquor worth Rs 11,53,530; drugs and narcotics worth Rs 26,75,000; freebies/other items worth Rs 18,76,700, according to the release.