More central forces are set to arrive in West Bengal ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. In the second phase of deployment, 240 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will reach the state by March 10, officials said.
The move is part of a broader security plan to ensure a peaceful electoral environment and to increase voter confidence. According to government sources, the deployment plan was finalised after meetings involving the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), special observers, and the state police administration.
These forces will be sent to different districts in phases and will mainly be used for area domination, confidence-building among voters, and maintaining law and order during the election period.
Forces to be deployed in second phase
Officials said personnel from multiple central forces will be part of the second phase deployment. Among the 240 companies, the largest contingent will come from the Central Reserve Police Force.
The distribution of companies is as follows:
CRPF: 120 companies
BSF: 65 companies
CISF: 16 companies
ITBP: 20 companies
SSB: 19 companies
Security officials said these forces will be stationed in sensitive districts and will work in coordination with the local police to maintain security during the poll process.
Deployment already underway
A total of 480 companies of central forces have been planned for deployment in the state ahead of the elections. Of these, 240 companies have already been deployed across several districts.
In North Bengal, forces have been stationed in multiple locations. Six companies have been deployed in Darjeeling, three in Siliguri Police Commissionerate, three in Kalimpong, nine in Cooch Behar, five in Alipurduar, and seven in Jalpaiguri.
Also Read | Bankura TMC leader starts 160-km march to Kolkata protesting deletion of voters’ names
In North Dinajpur, five companies are deployed in the Islampur police district and six in the Raiganj police district. Ten companies have been deployed in South Dinajpur, while twelve companies have already reached Malda.
In South Bengal, deployment has also taken place across several districts. Forces have been stationed in Nadia, Murshidabad, Howrah, Hooghly and Kolkata. Additional companies are deployed across Bongaon, Barasat, Barrackpore, Bidhannagar, Baruipur, Diamond Harbour, and the Sundarbans police district, as well as in East and West Medinipur.
Officials said further deployment will continue in additional districts as part of the second phase of the security plan ahead of the Assembly elections.
