DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 16 (MExN): An amount of Rs 1 crore cash was seized in Longleng on Saturday from the possession of one NPF candidate who alighted from a helicopter which flew in from Phomching. The chopper was ferrying only one passenger, 58 year old Nyemli Phom who is contesting on an NPF ticket from 49 A/C Tamlu under Longleng District.
Giving details of the seizure, DC Longleng, Libanthung told The Morung Express that the landing of the chopper in Longleng without permission alerted the officials prompting immediate dispatch of a flying squad and a videographer to the spot. The cash was contained in an airbag in denominations of Rs 1000 amounting to Rs 90 lakh and Rs 500 amounting to Rs 10 lakh.
Upon interrogation in the presence of DC Longleng, SP Longleng, flying squad, 31 Assam Rifles personnel and election observers, the NPF candidate Nyemli revealed that he was authorised to transport the amount “to Longleng” for party expenses all over Nagaland. DC Longleng informed The Morung Express that Nyemli carried an authorisation letter signed along with a seal by Treasurer NPF Central. He also informed that an FIR has been filed in this connection by the flying squad team.
The Opposition Congress has responded to today’s development by writing a complaint letter to the Chief Election Commission of India. The NPCC in its letter has demanded that the chartered chopper used by the NPF be seized besides disqualifying the concerned candidate for violation of Election Model Code of Conduct and to also take necessary stern actions against the NPF party. The letter to the CEC of India was issued by (Medokul Sophie) General Secretary (Administration) NPCC.
The NPCC has given details of how on the morning of February 16, 2013 the “NPF Party’s chartered chopper carrying an amount of Rupees one crore (Rs. 1 crore) was dropped at Longleng for election purpose”.
According to the NPCC letter, the chopper landed at 10:15 am at Assam Rifles helipad without landing permit. Subsequently the amount was seized.
The NPCC in its letter to the CEC informed that the money was dispatched by Phrenyümo, Treasurer of NPF to Nyemli Phom, NPF candidate of 49- Tamlu A/C, who was carrying the money. The amount consists of 90 lakhs in Rs. 1,000 denomination and 10 lakhs in Rs. 500 denomination. “The action of NPF party in distributing huge amount of money to their candidates in their chartered chopper is totally in violation of the Election Model Code of Conduct”, stated the NPCC letter.
The Media Cell of the NPCC has also issued a press note pointing out that the huge seizure of cash today “goes to prove how the NPF has been campaigning to the extent of splashing crores of corrupted money to retain power”.
“The NPCC has been insisting that the NPF has nothing to tell the electorate of their achievements except embezzlement of huge money meant for the development of the state and welfare of its people”, stated the NPCC Media Cell while adding that “perhaps the Chief Minister’s rhetoric of gaining absolute majority stems from the confidence of using this huge money power to buyout the electorate in the coming elections”.
The NPCC congratulated the Election Commission Observers for fearlessly executing their task of seizing the money. The NPCC also stated that this seizure is “just the tip of iceberg and with crores of unaccounted money being poured into the election campaign by the NPF” and as such, the election commission observers “will have to be more vigilant to prevent free flow of unaccounted money which will have its bearing on the conduct of free and fair polls”.
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