Kolkata, 21 February (H.S.) : A high-level meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday at 4 pm at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer to review security preparedness ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. The meeting will focus on the deployment and coordination of Central Armed Police Forces in the state, particularly in the context of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
According to senior officials familiar with the arrangements, Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal will chair the meeting, which will be attended by senior officials from the CEO’s office. Special Observer N.K. Mishra, the Director General of Police, the Commissioner of Kolkata Police, the Additional Director General (Law and Order), the state police nodal officer, and the nodal officer of the Central Industrial Security Force are also expected to participate.
The बैठक has been convened to strengthen security measures ahead of the publication of the revised electoral rolls and subsequent poll-related activities. Under the Special Intensive Revision exercise, authorities are identifying sensitive polling stations, assessing risk factors, and preparing a strategic plan for the deployment of central forces.
Sources indicated that particular emphasis will be placed on increasing the presence of central forces in vulnerable areas and ensuring seamless coordination between state and central security agencies. Preliminary assessments under the revision process suggest that a significant number of names may be deleted from the voter rolls. The updated electoral list is scheduled to be published on February 28.
The security review gains added significance amid heightened political rhetoric in the state. In recent days, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and several leaders of the All India Trinamool Congress have warned of potential unrest surrounding the revision process.
The meeting also comes a day after the Supreme Court of India reportedly cautioned the West Bengal government that strict action could follow against the Director General of Police in the event of any breakdown in law and order.
Officials described Monday’s meeting as crucial for finalising the deployment blueprint of central forces based on initial field reports. The Election Commission’s broader guidelines for the Assembly elections are already in motion, and the decisions taken at this meeting are expected to play a key role in ensuring that the electoral process is conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
