EC team seizes Rs 1 crore cash from chopper

KOHIMA: An Election Commission's (EC) surveillance team on Saturday morning seized Rs 1 crore in cash from a helicopter allegedly being used by a candidate of the Naga People's Front (NPF) in the poll-bound state.
A team of EC-appointed observers seized the cash from a chopper, which was allegedly hired to ferry H Nyemli Phom, who is contesting the state assembly polls from Tamlu constituency in Longleng district, officials here said.They added that the currency seized were in Rs1000 and Rs 500 denominations.
The EC team has alerted the Income-Tax department and police officials about the development and they have dispatched their teams for necessary action, they said. Officials said the candidate will be asked about the sources and utility of this huge cash and after recording the statement, a decision will be taken about the cash.
The EC has issued guidelines to all political parties to instruct their candidates not to carry huge cash and conduct transactions through banking channels. Polls for the 60-member Nagaland assembly will be held on February 23.