Rs 5.85 Cr cash, alcohol worth Rs 21.48 Cr seized in run-up to LS polls in K'taka
Bengaluru: The Election Commission on Wednesday said Rs 5.85 crore cash and alcohol worth Rs 21.48 crore have been seized in Karnataka since the Model Code of Conduct came into force, The general elections in Karnataka will be held in two phases on April 26 and May seven for its 28 constituencies.
According to EC officials, since the Model Code of Conduct came into force on March 16, the flying squads, static surveillance teams and police authorities have seized Rs 5.85 crore cash, Rs 5.87 lakh freebies, 6.84 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 21.48 crore, 24.3 kg narcotic substances worth over Rs 15 lakh and precious metals valued at over Rs 27 crore.
They have also registered 205 FIRs with regard to seizure of cash, liquor, drugs, precious metal and freebies while 47,868 arms have been deposited, 827 arms were impounded, eight arms licences have been cancelled, 2,173 cases were booked under preventive sections of CrPC, out of which 2,725 persons were bounded over.
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The Excise Department has booked 249 heinous cases, 206 cases for breach of licence conditions, 13 NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act) and 822 cases under Section 15 (a) of Karnataka Excise Act 1965 and also 156 different types of vehicles have been seized.
In a statement, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka said that Vijayapura Cyber, Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Police Station Team has seized Rs 2,93,50,000 cash in Bijapur Parliamentary constituency, Vijayapura taluk and district.
The SST team has seized Rs 32,92,500 cash in Siraguppa Taluk, Bellary Parliamentary constituency, Bellary district.
Another Rs 50,00,000 cash was seized by the static surveillance team in Bannikoppa Checkpost, Yelaburga Taluk, Koppal Parliamentary constituency, Koppal district.
''Out of the 1,740 calls received through voter helpline, 1,737 people have sought information, one has given feedback and three have registered complaints.'' ''Cumulatively 1,740 calls have been disposed of. In addition, 6,943 complaints have been registered by the citizens on NGSP (National Grievances Service Portal), out of which, 6,368 complaints have been disposed of,'' the statement added.
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Sonam Wangchuk justifies Ladakh agitation, says will join talks with Centre if needed
Kargil (PTI): Activist Sonam Wangchuk on Sunday defended the agitation for statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule for Ladakh, and said he would not back out from joining talks with the government if the need for it arises.
Addressing a press conference, Wangchuk, who was released on March 14 after nearly six months of detention under the National Security Act, called for "open-minded and sincere" negotiations and striking a middle path.
He also expressed hope that the ongoing protests would lead to a positive and amicable solution.
"The demand for safeguards under the Sixth Schedule and statehood is based on democratic rights entailed in the Constitution and is completely legitimate. I have always maintained that for the last 5-6 years, we have been engaged in discussions with the government on these issues, yet no solution has emerged. This is because the other side seems to have adopted a rigid stance," Wangchuk told reporters here.
He stressed that the negotiations should be held with an open mind, in all sincerity.
"Neither side should insist 'we alone will win and you will lose'. What is needed is a middle path, a win-win approach. This is what I personally believe and have conveyed to many people, including the (agitating) leaders: the negotiations should move forward gradually," he said.
Wangchuk said they were ready to adopt such an approach, but it should not be one-sided.
He said the protesters have conveyed this thinking to fair-minded people across the country, and cautioned that if the upcoming talks once again result in their concerns being overlooked and only the other side's position prevails, it would prompt questions on why a more accommodative approach -- like that adopted by Ladakh's leaders -- is not being followed.
The government has not yet announced the date for the next round of talks.
The Ladakh-based activist expressed hope that the ongoing protests would lead to a positive and amicable resolution, enabling them to move forward and partake in the country's progress and nation-building.
Asked about charges under the National Security Act (NSA) that were levelled against him, he said, "If a person like me, who has always worked for the country -- whether in education, environment, or improving facilities for the armed forces -- can face such allegations, then what might not be said about others, not just in Ladakh but elsewhere as well?"
The activist said he was disturbed by a video related to his arrest that he came across recently, questioning how such claims could be made, especially as the contents "appeared" to be backed by evidence.
"If the allegations are true, I did not deserve to be free. But if they are false, they must be clearly refuted," Wangchuk said, cautioning against making sweeping accusations about Ladakh, which has been a pillar of India's defence, especially Kargil, whose people have supported the armed forces in every war and made significant sacrifices in the 1999 Kargil War.
Making such allegations will only create distance among people, he said, adding, "If mistakes are being made, they should be corrected."
Referring to the Centre's order revoking NSA charges against him, he said it is clearly stated that this step is being taken to create a conducive environment, to build trust, and to enable meaningful dialogue.
"So, we are waiting for things to move in that direction," he said.
On the protesters' next course of action, he said the leadership will look into the issue, but it is hoped that the time ahead will not be for anything else but celebration.
"If there is any absolute need, we will discuss and decide what steps should be taken," he said.
On the possibility of him joining the team holding dialogue with the home ministry, Wangchuk said, "Whatever I do, I do it out of necessity. Where I am not needed, and others could do it, I always prefer that they should take the lead. But if there is a need, I will not back down."
VIDEO | Ladakh: Activist Sonam Wangchuk says, "... We need open-minded dialogue with Centre to find a win-win or middle path solution..."
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 5, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/BwWQGx66I1
