Kolkata, 15 April (H.S.): The Election Commission has finalized an extensive deployment plan of central armed forces for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections, scheduled for April 23. According to the Commission, a total of 2,407 companies of central forces will be deployed to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling.
Polling in the first phase will cover all districts of North Bengal, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, and Malda. In addition, voting will also take place in the Junglemahal region—comprising Jhargram, Purulia, and Bankura—as well as in Birbhum, Murshidabad, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, and Paschim Bardhaman.
As per the Commission’s data, Murshidabad district will see the highest deployment of central forces. The district, divided into Murshidabad and Jangipur police districts, will have a total of 316 companies, including 240 in Murshidabad and 76 in Jangipur.
East Midnapore will have the second-highest deployment with 273 companies. The district includes the high-profile Nandigram Assembly constituency, where BJP candidate and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is contesting against Trinamool Congress candidate Pabitra Kar. West Midnapore will have 271 companies deployed.
Other key deployments include 193 companies in Bankura, 176 in Birbhum, 172 in Malda, 151 in Purulia, and 146 in Cooch Behar. South Dinajpur will have 83 companies, Jhargram 74, Darjeeling 61, Kalimpong 21, Jalpaiguri 92, and Alipurduar 77 companies.
North Dinajpur, divided into Islampur and Raiganj police districts, will have a combined deployment of 132 companies, with 61 in Islampur and 71 in Raiganj.
Additionally, 44 companies will be deployed in the Siliguri Police Commissionerate area, while the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate will have 125 companies.
The Election Commission has directed that all central forces be deployed by Monday ahead of polling day to ensure a secure environment for voters on April 23.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
