What Measures Are Being Taken Ahead of Bihar Elections?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- High-level meeting held at SSB Headquarters in Patna.
- Inter-agency coordination is crucial for election security.
- Increased efforts against illegal liquor smuggling in Bihar.
- Commitment to a free and fair electoral process.
- Focus on border areas for enhanced security.
Patna, Oct 7 (NationPress) With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) now in effect in Bihar, a significant meeting involving various enforcement and intelligence agencies took place on Tuesday at the Frontier Headquarters of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Patna.
The meeting was led by Nishit Kumar Ujjwal, Inspector General (IG).
The primary objective was to bolster inter-agency collaboration through real-time intelligence sharing and coordinated intelligence-based operations (INT-based Ops) with law enforcement, ensuring a robust security framework during the electoral period.
High-ranking officials from the Bihar Police, Special Task Force (STF), Customs Department, Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Income Tax Department, Railways, Excise Department, Prohibition Department, and SSB were in attendance.
All agencies collectively agreed to enhance their collaboration to guarantee a free, fair, peaceful, and impartial conduct of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections.
The session concluded with a shared commitment from all agencies to continue their joint initiatives for crime prevention, maintaining security, and ensuring smooth election operations, especially in border regions.
In a significant development following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, the Excise Department team in Gopalganj has escalated its efforts against illegal liquor smuggling.
Acting on intelligence, the department seized 131 cartons of foreign liquor from a pickup van near Jigna Dhala under the Mirganj police station.
One individual involved in the smuggling was apprehended during the operation.
According to officials, the liquor, worth approximately Rs 15 lakh, was being trafficked from Punjab to Samastipur and was cleverly concealed under a bed to evade detection.
This operation was carried out under the supervision of Excise Superintendent Amritesh Kumar Jha, who noted that the department has been on high alert since the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct.
“Inspection drives have been intensified at all checkpoints and border areas to combat the movement of illegal liquor and cash,” Jha stated.
The Excise Department has confiscated both the liquor and the vehicle, and the arrested smuggler is currently being interrogated.
Officials mentioned that efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend others involved in the smuggling operation.