Election Commission keeping a close watch on bank transaction in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: Fearing big exchange of money even though the banking channels in the upcoming polls in Punjab, Chief Election Commission Nasim Zaidi has said fool-proof arrangements are being made to monitor these transactions. In the eight days to January 12, drug controllers have conducted 172 searches and seized heroin worth Rs 63 crore and authorities have also recovered Rs 63 crore.

“To monitor the movement of cash through aerial routes, Air Intelligence Units (AIU) have been made operational at Mohali, Bhatinda, Ludhiana and Amritsar. Huge clandestine currency exchange along with deposits in benami bank accounts is being monitored,” CEC said.

Also taking cognizance to the recent incidents of violence, the Commission directed that action against all identified trouble-mongers must be taken immediately in order to prevent them from vitiating the election process in any way whatsoever. The EC ordered comprehensive inspection of jails to be conducted to stop the activities of criminals inside and outside.


Both SAD and AAP have been engaged in violent skirmishes over the past few days, triggering apprehension of escalation and spread of violence in the state as the Assembly polls draw closer.