KolkataThe Election Commission has intensified preparations for the assembly elections to be held in West Bengal this year. The Commission has directed the State Police to identify sensitive areas as soon as possible. The Commission wants this work to be completed by the second week of March. Based on the identification of these areas, a plan will be made for the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces. Preparations have been started to strengthen the security arrangements even before the elections. The Election Commission has made it clear that CAPFs will be deployed even before the announcement of voting dates and implementation of the code of conduct. The Commission has decided to send 480 companies. Of these, 240 companies will be deployed on March 1 and the remaining 240 companies will be deployed on March 10. These forces will not be used to just sit and wait, but to establish early dominance in the area.
Emphasis on identification of sensitive areas
The Commission has asked the State Police to quickly prepare a list of sensitive and ultra-sensitive areas. Incidents of violence or tension were reported in these areas in the last elections. Central forces will be deployed more in these areas. Central observers have also been given the responsibility of monitoring this entire process. They will have to send daily reports to the Election Commission.
Deployment will take place in two phases
In the first phase, 240 companies will be deployed on March 1. Of these, 110 companies will be from CRPF, 55 from BSF, 21 from CISF, 27 from ITBP and 27 from SSB. In the second phase, 240 more companies will be sent on March 10. Of these, 120 companies will be from CRPF, 65 from BSF, 16 from CISF, 20 from ITBP and 19 from SSB. Altogether 480 companies will be deployed in different parts of the state.
CRPF is responsible for coordination
The Commission has clarified that the CRPF will coordinate the movement and deployment of forces. The state government has been directed to prepare a detailed plan in coordination with the central forces and their coordinating authorities. It has also been decided that the forces will not be made to sit idle, but flag march and area domination will be conducted in the area.
Strict security strategy before elections
The Election Commission believes that for fair and peaceful elections, it is necessary to have a strong security system in advance. Therefore, even before the announcement of voting, central forces are being fielded. If necessary, information about the withdrawal of these companies will be given later. The Commission says that maintaining the sanctity of the election process is the top priority.