 "Spurt in seizure of arms, ammunition in UP")
As Lok Sabha polling draws near, there has been a spurt in the seizure of arms, ammunition and explosives in Uttar Pradesh by law enforcement agencies.
So far, the flying squad of UP Police has confiscated about 1,900 arms, 3,700 rounds of ammunition, 725 kg of explosives and 165 crude bombs.
The tax department has impounded Rs 4.65 crore in unaccounted cash. Besides, the excise department has seized 1.40 lakh litres of illicit liquor comprising hooch, Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and beer.
After the announcement of general election poll dates on March 5 and the promulgation of the model code of conduct, an extensive drive was undertaken to ensuring free, fair and peaceful polling process by checking use of arms, black money and liquor.
The Customs department has also intensified vigil on Indo-Nepal border and at Lucknow airport to check gold smuggling and black money.
"We are coordinating with state election observers and the tax department to check smuggling," Customs (prevention) Commissioner (Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand) Ajay Dixit here earlier said here.
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The customs department works closely with Seema Suraksha Bal (SSB) and UP Police to check smuggling, which is rampant along the Indo-Nepal border in UP.
The LS polls would be held in 9 phases across the country viz. April 7 (6 seats), April 9 (7 seats), April 10 (92 seats), April 12 (5 seats), April 17 (122 seats), April 24 (117 seats), April 30 (89 seats), May 7 (64 seats) and May 12 (41 seats).
UP would witness polling in 6 phases on April 10 (10 seats), April 17 (11 seats), April 24 (12 seats), April 30 (14 seats), May 7 (15 seats) and May 12 (18 seats).