Special security along inter-state borders in Punjab

Sangrur, Jan 27 (UNI) The Punjab Police has set up special check-points along the state's borders with Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir to check the entry of miscreants and undesirable persons into the state which goes to polls on February 13.

Another motive behind taking these precautions is to check the smuggling of liquor, poppy husk and opium for distribution amongst the voters in the state. As many as 23 such checkpoints have alone been setup in Sangrur district along the border with Haryana.

SSP B Chander Shekher, when contacted, said here today that the police had intensified its campaign against anti-social elements after elections were announced in the state. The police has so far seized 172 quintals of poppy husk, 12.5 grams of opium and 372 litres of liquor and arrested a number of persons in this connection, he added.

After instructions to the state government by the Election Commission of India (ECI), the police has taken into custody 300 persons who had a criminal record and another 11 proclaimed offenders had been arrested, he said. The police has also confiscated 1500 licensed arms in Sangrur district, he added.

Meanwhile, district magistrate S R Ladhar, who is also the district returning officer has sealed five printing presses in the district as they had failed to adhere to the directions of the ECI on printing election-related material for the political parties.

UNI