Rajahmundry:
A dozen political activists from various parties were picked up and nearly Rs 30 lakh cash was seized from their possession after raids were carried out across East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh in view of the ensuing municipal, Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
Five TDP activists -- V Nani, E Bujji, G Srinivas, M Chinnayya Dora and K L N Narayana -- besides two YSRCP men - V Laxminarayana and M Ramana -- were taken into custody from Pithapuram of Kakinada sub-division of district, Pithapuram sub-inspector Prasad told PTI today.
On a tip off, that some political party activists were distributing cash and other materials in the sub-division, police conducted raids till late last night in the district and seized over Rs 13 lakh cash and 142 liquor bottles from the two suspected YSRCP workers.
Election Code Officer K Vedavalli conducted raids in Rajahmundry sub-division where political activists had stocked up steel utensils and pots for alleged distribution among voters.
Steel pots worth Rs 83,786 were seized and a TDP activist K Janakiramayya was taken into custody, police said today.
In Amalapuram division of Mummudivaram, Rs 19,700 cash was seized and four persons were rounded up, Mummidivaram SI C Kishore said.
As the election code is in force, we conducted raids and took four persons into custody on charges of distributing slips and cash to voters besides liquor bottles.
While in Samalkota, Rs 12 lakhs was seized from an abandoned vehicle. Searches are on for the owner.
All the seized money was sent to the Income Tax department. We are regularly conducting rigorous raids and surprise checks on information received from reliable sources in view of upcoming elections, police said.
Earlier, District Collector and Election Officer Neetu Kumari Prasad had requested public not to carry huge amounts of money and warned of seizure if they are not able to produce proper receipt or proofs for the sum.