Ahead of the announcement of poll dates amid Sandeshkhali unrest, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are set to reach West Bengal from March 1. Sources told News18 at least 150 companies will reach the state by March 7. The move is significant as the Election Commission (EC) wants the CAPF to start area domination before the announcement.
This time, the EC has requested for deployment of 920 companies of CAPF in Bengal, which is the highest in the country. Last time, it was nearly 730 companies. Even in Kashmir, they have asked for only 650 companies.
The EC on Saturday held a meeting with senior officers of Police, Superintendent of Police (SP), Commissioners and District Magistrates (DM) and instructed them to carry out mapping of vulnerable areas. Senior officers have been told that the Central forces will be reaching and they should plan for the deployment.
On March 3, the full bench of the EC will visit West Bengal and meet DMs, SPs and Commissioners.
With questions on law and order in the state amid the Sandeshkhali unrest, the EC does not want to take any chance, say sources.
DG Rajeev Kumar also conducted a meeting with senior officers of police to discuss the election preparations, said sources. It was clearly stated that EC directions should be strictly followed and proper execution of non-bailable warrants, and naka checking should be carried out.
Law and order has been an issue for the Opposition in Bengal, which is why the CAPF’s entry is good news for them. Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Samik Bhattacharya said that law and order is a serious issue in Bengal. “Sandeshkhali proves that. We welcome the decision.” BJP leader Dilip Ghosh said, “If central forces are not deployed, Bengal will suffer…police can do nothing.”
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), on the other hand, said that every time a huge number of forces are deployed here and the move is politically motivated.
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