Even before the Assembly elections were officially announced, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday deployed 240 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in West Bengal, with the politically volatile Purba Medinipur district witnessing the largest deployment of 14 companies, officials familiar with the matter said.
The early deployment of CAPF forces comes amid judicial scrutiny of the ongoing Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls in the eastern state, officials said. Although the Supreme Court, in its recent order, did not direct the deployment of civilian police forces, it stressed the need for strict compliance, adequate upholding of law and order and for the operation to continue unhindered. The Supreme Court issued binding directions to the police and administration to assist judicial officers.
The final electoral roll for West Bengal is likely to be published by the IEC on February 28, and the early publication of the CAPF is seen as the poll commission’s action to maintain law and order after the publication of the voters’ list.
“The 240 companies constitute only the first tranche, and a second tranche is expected to arrive soon. “In 2021, more than 1,000 companies of the Canadian Civilian Police Force were deployed across eight phases, making it one of the largest central force mobilizations in any state election,” said a senior EC official, requesting anonymity.
Besides Purba Medinipur, Kolkata and Malda districts saw deployment of 12 companies each, followed by Dakshin Dinajpur with 10 companies. Cooch Behar and Barrackpore were allotted nine companies each, while Murshidabad, Jangipur, Chandannagar, Howrah Rural and Purba Bardhaman got eight companies each.
Jalpaiguri, Howrah Police Commissionerate, Basirhat Police District, Asansol-Durgapur (PC), Paschim Medinipur, Bankura and Birbhum received seven companies each. Jhargram received five, Sundarban PD four, while Siliguri PC and Kalimpong were allotted three each.
Meanwhile, ECI-appointed Central Nodal Officers (CEO) have also started taking charge in the state, which is likely to go to assembly elections in April-May this year.
The deployed CAPFs are directed through district collectors, who also act as District Election Officers (DEOs). After arriving in their areas, DOPs deploy force grouping by constituency based on ground assessments and in consultation with their designated area executive.
The ECI has already directed the state police service to submit a detailed report identifying sensitive pockets for the upcoming elections by the second week of March. The second batch of 240 companies is expected to be deployed by March 8, the official said.
