Special poll security yields illegal weapons, explosives

Heightened security measures in place for the assembly elections have yielded a large number of illegal weapons and explosive materials from criminals in different parts of the state.

The police say that since the poll code of conduct was announced nearly three weeks ago, more than 300 illegal weapons, including firearms, swords and knives, about 700 packets of explosive materials and a bomb too, have been seized. Forty-seven of these cases were in Mumbai.

The intelligence department has issued a general alert with an eye on the numerous VVIPs visiting the state for campaigning.

"The flying squad and local area police have been conducting special checks that has helped to net more weapons," said KL Bishnoi, additional director-general of police (law & order).

Also, Bishnoi said, 45,000 licensed weapons have been deposited in the custody of the police. A total 113 weapons belonging to those who could not hand them over have been impounded.

In Mumbai there have been 4,068 preventive arrests. There have also been 148 cases of distribution or sale of illicit liquor. About Rs2 crore in cash has been seized. On Thursday, a flying squad found Rs50 lakh in cash in the vehicle of BJP candidate Manisha Chaudhary at Dahisar.