Chennai: Chief Electoral Officer Satyabrata Sahoo said as many as 13,523 out of the 21,999 licensed guns have been surrendered in the police stations so far in the State following the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct. Addressing mediapersons at the Secretariat, Friday, he said 27 guns have been seized so far and the remaining guns are expected to be surrendered in the coming days.
‘Four battalion of paramilitary forces have already arrived in Chennai. Similarly one battalion each has reached Salem and Tiruchi. On Friday, one battalion each will arrive at Madurai, Tiruchi and Tirunelveli districts. One battalion will have about 80 to 90 men. A services of 200 battalions will be utilised during the election, the remaining battalions will arrive during the election time between 13 and 15 April,’ he said. He further said in the last four days alone Rs 4.14 crore which was taken without proper documentation has been seized, apart from which 15 kg silver and 67 liquor bottles too have been confiscated.
He added party flags that are erected have to be removed. ‘So far 60,000 wall advertisements have been removed and the officials have been asked not to just cover the advertisements but whitewash it completely,’ the CEO said. He also said in the past five days, 46,000 calls have been received in the 1950 contact number.