TURA, Feb 26: Tight vigil by villagers opposed to the cash for votes system in Garo Hills has resulted in the detention of a group of supporters of the BJP candidate for Dalu Akki A Sangma who were caught with Rs. 1,74,360/- while attempting to enter a village under Dalu constituency late Saturday night despite strict orders by the Election Commission against any activity after campaigning ended at 4 PM.
The BJP supporters have been accused to attempting to buy votes in the crucial Dalu seat where a tough electoral battle is underway.
When villagers blocked the convoy of two vehicles from entering their village late at night they also caught Tura pressure group leader Dalseng Bira Ch Momin president of the Association for Democracy and Enpowerment (ADE).
According to police details, the villagers seized the amount of Rs 1,74,360 from the possession of Dikan Marak S/o Shri Kebeithson Marak of K. A. Road, Tura, Shri Jepan Marak S/o Lt Niresh M Sangma of Kujikura PS Dalu and Shri Kambe M Marak S/o Shri Jongnan Ch Marak of Mangkengre PO Dimapara PS Dalu.
From the ADE president the villagers seized and handed over to authorities a sum of Rs 32,000/-.
All the detained persons were handed over to police and the Static Surveillance Team of the Election Commission the same night itself.
