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ECI Directs Bengal Police to Map Sensitive Poll Pockets by March

The Election Commission of India has instructed West Bengal police to complete identifying sensitive electoral pockets, preferably by the second week of March. This identification will guide the initial deployment planning for Central Armed Police Forces. A total of 480 CAPF companies are scheduled for deployment in two phases by March 10, with explicit orders to use them for early area domination rather than letting them sit idle. Central observers appointed by the ECI will supervise this deployment and provide daily reports.

Key Points: ECI Tells Bengal Police to Identify Sensitive Poll Areas

  • ECI orders early identification of sensitive areas
  • 480 CAPF companies to deploy by March 10
  • Forces to be used for pre-poll area domination
  • Central observers to supervise deployment
3 min read

Assembly polls: ECI asks Bengal police to identify sensitive pockets at the earliest

Election Commission directs West Bengal police to identify sensitive election pockets by early March for early CAPF deployment ahead of Assembly polls.

"initial 480 companies to be deployed... should be utilised for early area domination - Election Commission of India"

Kolkata, Feb 24

Amid the crucial Assembly elections in West Bengal scheduled later this year, the Election Commission of India has directed the police administration in the state to complete the process of identification of the sensitive pockets in the state at the earliest, and if possible, by the second week of March.

Based on the sensitive pockets identified by the state police, the Commission will do the initial planning for the concentration of the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), depending on the sensitivity of the pockets concerned.

The ECI has already decided to deploy the CAPF in the state even before the announcement of the polling dates and the enforcement of the model code of conduct.

A total of 480 companies of CAPF will be deployed in the state by March 10, out of which 240 companies will be deployed on March 1 and the remaining 240 companies will be deployed on March 10.

At a preparatory meeting with the top police officials in the state on Monday evening, the ECI had clearly instructed that the initial 480 companies to be deployed between March 1 and March 10 can be allowed to sit idle, and instead should be utilised for early area domination.

The deployment of these 480 companies of CAPF should be done in consultation with the central observers appointed by the ECI in West Bengal.

The central observers have also been asked by the Commission to supervise the process of CPAF deployment and give daily reports to the ECI in the matter, sources in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal said.

The Commission had already directed the West Bengal government to work out the detailed deployment plan, in consultation with the respective CAPFs and their chief force coordinators. The movement and deployment of CAPFs shall be coordinated by the CRPF, the Commission had clarified.

The first phase of 240 companies that will be deployed on March 1, will include 110 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 55 companies of Border Security Force (BSF), 21 companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 27 companies of Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITBP), and 27 companies of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

The second phase of 240 companies that will be deployed on March 10, will include 120 companies of CRPF, 65 companies of BSF, 16 companies of CISF, 20 companies of ITBP, and 19 companies of SSB.

De-induction of these 480 companies, that is , the process of removing troops, equipment, or personnel from a specific area, will be intimated in due course of time

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good to see proactive planning. Identifying sensitive areas early is key. But I hope the state police and central forces work in coordination, not at cross-purposes. The focus should be voter safety, not political one-upmanship.
R
Rohit P
480 companies is a massive force! Shows how serious the situation is perceived to be. The detailed breakdown of CRPF, BSF etc. is interesting. Hope their presence brings peace and allows people to vote without fear 🙏
S
Sarah B
While security is paramount, this level of pre-poll central force deployment feels unprecedented. It's a delicate balance between ensuring order and not creating an atmosphere of intimidation. The central observers' daily reports will be critical.
V
Vikram M
"Not allowed to sit idle" - smart instruction. Area domination from day one sends a strong message. The de-induction plan will be equally important later. ECI seems to be leaving nothing to chance this time. Good.
K
Kavya N
As a Bengali, I just want peaceful elections. Last time there was so much tension. If early CAPF deployment can prevent clashes and booth capturing, I'm all for it. Let democracy win, not goondagardi.
M
Michael C
The logistical coordination here is immense. Moving and managing so many personnel from

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