SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the election authorities in Kupwara last evening seized 25 crickets which were to be distributed among youth by a former minister, who also happens to be a contesting candidate.
Sources said that Kupwara police station received an official communication from the election magistrate, FST-Ist Trehgam, regarding the seizure of a vehicle suspected of violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). The vehicle, a load carrier bearing registration number JK04B 5496, was intercepted by the election magistrate’s team at Gushi , Kupwara.
The vehicle, driven by Sajad Ahmad Parray, son of Farooq Ahmad Parray, resident of Kanihama, Budgam, was found to be transporting 25 cricket kits.
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Preliminary investigations revealed that the material was intended for distribution among the youth in the locality as illegal gratifications to lure the voters, a clear violation of the MCC guidelines currently in effect during the election period.
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In addition to the driver, another individual, identified as Aaqib Majeed Parray, son of Ab Majeed Parray, has also been arrested in the case.
Sources said the kits were to be distributed by a former National Conference minister, who is also a contesting candidate, and were sent to him by an employee of the erstwhile Legislative Council, who is now working in some other department.
The employee is said to be close associate of the minister, sources added.(KNO)