West Bengal election: 200 companies of CRPF to reach state even before announcement of date

In an unprecedented move, as many as 200 companies of Central Para Military Forces to reach the West Bengal on the first week of March, even before the polls are announced or notified in the state. 

“We have received a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) specifying that 100 companies of Central Para Military Forces will reach on March 1 and another 100 companies of central forces will reach on March 7,” Anuj Sharma, IG (Law and Order), West Bengal Police told dna. 

While there is no clarity as to when the assembly polls could be announced in the state, the central forces will reach much ahead of the polls. MHA sources reveal that the central forces will be deployed across the violence and tension-hit areas of the state to get full control of the administration before the polls. 

Sources add that the forces will begin their route march and area domination as soon as they reach the state. The Election Commission will identify tension-hit areas and deploy them accordingly. 

This decision of the Election Commission of India (ECI) to deploy central forces before the notification or announcement comes in the wake of carrying out free, fair and peaceful polls without booth capturing and rigging. 

On various meetings held between the Election Commission officers and political parties, leaders have alleged deteriorating law and order situation in the state and demanded sufficient central forces.