Jamshedpur: In view of ensuring free, fair, and transparent by-elections in the Ghatshila Assembly constituency, the district administration has stepped up vigilance across interstate and inter-district borders. Acting on the directives of District Election Officer (DEO) and Deputy Commissioner Karn Satyarthi, special inspection teams of the Excise Department have been deployed at key border points connecting Jharkhand with West Bengal and Odisha to curb the illegal transportation of liquor and other prohibited materials.
The District Election Officer said that there are apprehensions of illicit liquor being smuggled from neighboring states to influence the electoral process. To counter this, strict 24×7 surveillance has been initiated at all border checkpoints, with special Excise teams stationed round-the-clock to monitor every vehicle entering the district.
He added that the administration is committed to ensuring that the election process remains impartial and unaffected by any illegal activities. “It is being ensured through all interstate and inter-district checkpoints that no illegal transportation of liquor, cash, drugs, or gifts takes place which could impact the election process,” the DEO stated.
To strengthen the enforcement mechanism, magistrates and police officers have been deployed in three shifts at every checkpoint. All vehicles—commercial, private, and public—are being subjected to thorough checking. The operation is being closely monitored by senior officials of the Excise Department in coordination with district police teams.
Excise Department officials have also been instructed to maintain detailed records of every seizure and report daily to the district control room. Surveillance at sensitive locations has been reinforced with mobile patrol teams, and strict action will be taken against anyone found violating the Model Code of Conduct or attempting to transport illegal substances across borders.
The District Election Officer emphasized that the administration will take stern measures to ensure that no unlawful activity hampers the credibility of the upcoming by-election. With continuous monitoring and inter-agency coordination, the district is fully prepared to uphold the integrity of the electoral process in Ghatshila.
