Gujarat Assembly elections 2017: Rajasthan cracks down on illegal arms and alcohol in border areas

Rajasthan Police has recovered illegal alcohol worth Rs 2 crores which were allegedly being smuggled into Gujarat ahead of assembly elections here.

Note - Image blurred intentionally.

Almost at the same time as the first phase of voting in Gujarat Assembly elections began, Rajasthan Police on Saturday stepped up its drive against illegal arms and alcohol smuggling in areas bordering the state.

There have been reports in recent weeks that arms and alcohol bottles could be smuggled into Gujarat in large numbers from neighbouring states following which, Rajasthan began a system process of checking vehicles crossing over from its border areas. On polling day, Zee Rajasthan reported that state police officials seized a large quantity of alcohol - taking the net worth of liquor seized in recent weeks to Rs 2 crores.

#Dungarpur पुलिस ने 200 कार्टन अवैध शराब की जब्त #ZeeVideo @RajGovOfficial @Dungarpurpolice @jaipur_police pic.twitter.com/SziLgl9jYd — Zee Rajasthan News (@zeerajasthan_) December 9, 2017

Gujarat is a dry state where selling, buying and consuming alcohol is strictly prohibited. However, there were reports that the alcohol mafia had become extremely active in the poll-bound state because of demands from certain political figures who wanted to distribute liquor to party workers and electorates. Code words too were developed for different types of liquor as well as to warn those transporting them about imminent threats from police personnel and members of excise department.

Apart from Rajasthan, routes through Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh too have been previously used to smuggle arms and alcohol. Governments in both states have said they have ensured a thorough check to prevent smuggling.