Bijepur Bypoll: Police Asks Traders’ Bodies To Stay Away From Poll Funding

Bargarh: Following the arrest of two businessmen from whom the police seized cash worth Rs 40.50 lakh from a vehicle at Mahulapali under Padmapur police station limits in Odisha’s Bargarh district on Saturday, police on Monday had a meeting with the members of business associations in the district to make them aware of such illegal and unethical activities.

The meeting held at the conference hall of the district collectorate was presided over by IG, Northern Range, Sushant Kumar Nath.

Audio of the ‘Yes to vote, no to note’ campaign:

Briefing media persons after the meeting, Nath said there is gross misuse of money power to influence the voters in violation of code of conduct and election offence. Keeping this in view, a meeting was held to sensitise the business associations, traders and the members of the Chambers of Commerce and apprise them of their role.

“We told them not to get involved directly or indirectly in the money flow for funding elections and influencing voters at the grassroots level failing which police will file a case against them and start investigations. In future, police would conduct a detailed investigation and hand over the investigation report either to the Income Tax department or if necessary the Enforcement Directorate for appropriate action,” he pointed out.

The IG also said that the police also advised the traders’ bodies to refrain themselves from being involved in hawala trade. “We have the reports on hawala money in rural areas where people are sent to a particular person to collect money after showing the ticket and the number given to them by the political parties. Taking note of such activities, we have asked the business community not to get involved in this illegal activities in any manner,” he informed.

Apart from this, efforts are being made by the police to sensitise the people of rural areas about their role in the election.

Asked about the measures taken by the police in this regard, Bargarh SP Jai Narayan Pankaj said the district police has taken up a novel awareness drive titled “Yes to vote, no to vote” in which it aims to cover all villages of 59 Gram Panchayats and one Notified Area Council (NAC) having a total of 282 booths with a population of 2.21 lakh. “There we will distribute pamphlets among the people and make them aware of their right to franchise and select the candidate of their own choice. We will also tell them not to get influenced by any political party who tries to lure them by offering them the money,” the SP added.

Pankaj further said police as part of its awareness drive has come up with a campaign vehicle which will to each Gram Panchayat. In all sides of the van, display board have been put up with the message to the people that giving or taking bribe for vote is illegal and subject to criminal offence.

“Apart from this, to involve the people in its awareness drive, police has given a message that whoever gives correct information on bribery for votes will be rewarded with a cash of Rs 2000 and a letter of appreciation by the district police,” he informed.

The SP also said such awareness drive taken up by the Bargarh Police is one of the biggest mass campaigns of the Odisha Police.