New Delhi, 22 April (H.S.):

The Election Commission disclosed seizures exceeding ₹1,000 crore in illicit cash, liquor, drugs, precious metals, and freebies during Tamil Nadu and West Bengal assembly elections, underscoring relentless enforcement for violence-free, inducement-free polls.

Bengal Haul: ₹472.89 Crore

West Bengal operations yielded ₹27.48 crore cash, 39 lakh liters liquor (₹102.45 crore), drugs (₹108.11 crore), precious metals (₹55.88 crore), and freebies (₹178.83 crore)—deploying 2,728 Flying Squad Teams (100-minute response) and 5,363 static surveillance units.

Tamil Nadu Tally: ₹599.24 Crore

Authorities confiscated ₹100.19 crore cash, 1.17 lakh liters liquor (₹3.85 crore), drugs (₹76.72 crore), precious metals (₹159.31 crore), and freebies (₹259.14 crore), backed by 2,283 Flying Squads. District-level grievance cells ensure public convenience during checks.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar