Just a day after a candidate was caught carrying huge unaccounted cash, Nagaland's home minister Imkong L Imchen was detained on Monday for allegedly carrying arms and ammunition, liquor and cash in a vehicle.
Imchen was reportedly caught carrying ₹1.10 crore along with arms and ammunition, and liquor by the Assam Rifles personnel near Wokha district while conducting a search on the vehicles. He has been handed over to the district administration and police.
Imchen, who is also campaign in-charge of the Nagaland People's Front (NPF) in Mokokchung district, was on his way to his constituency Koridanga in Mokokchung district when he was caught with the cash and arms.
On Saturday, ₹1 crore was seized from NPF candidate H. Nyemli Phom, who is contesting the elections from 49 Tamlu A/C. The unaccounted cash was seized by a team of Election Commission surveillance team from a helicopter allegedly being used by the candidate. The matter has placed before the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Reliable sources said that the candidates are trying to buy votes with cash despite campaigns by several civil bodies for a 'clean elections'.
Sources said that the seizure of cash from a few candidates could be just the tip of the iceberg as the candidates are pouring in money to win the elections.
According to Nagaland Election 2013 Watch, 81 of the 188 candidates in fray for the assembly elections on Feb 23, are crorpatis - 40 from NPF, 24 (Congress) and 17 (Independents). The analysis was based on the assets filed by the candidates in their nomination papers. The candidate with an assets totalling ₹50.19 crore is the richest.
