Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Apr 8: The Ministry of Home Affairs has informed the West Bengal government that an additional 150 companies of security forces will be deployed for each phase of the upcoming Assembly elections, following directions from the Election Commission of India.

With this latest decision, the total number of deployed forces per phase will rise to 2,550 companies, up from the earlier planned 2,400. The deployment will include personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and armed police units from various states.

Out of the additional 150 companies, 95 will be from CAPF, while the remaining 55 will come from IRB and other state police units. Within the CAPF contingent, personnel will be drawn from forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, and Sashastra Seema Bal.

Earlier directives issued on March 20 will remain unchanged. As per those guidelines, after the second phase of polling concludes on April 29, around 200 CAPF companies will remain in the state to secure electronic voting machines, strong rooms, and counting centres until the completion of vote counting.

Additionally, 500 companies will continue to be stationed in the state to maintain law and order and prevent post-poll violence, which had been a concern in previous elections. The remaining forces will be withdrawn after polling ends.

The coordination of force deployment and movement will be handled by the CRPF, with Inspector General Shalabh Mathur appointed as the State Force Coordinator for the elections.