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Bengal Polls: Murshidabad Gets Max Security for Phase 1 on April 23

The Election Commission has designated minority-dominated Murshidabad as the most sensitive district for the first phase of West Bengal polls on April 23, leading to the highest deployment of security forces there. Of the 2,407 total companies for the first phase, 316 will be in Murshidabad alone, with 240 assigned to the larger Murshidabad Police District. East Midnapore, the native district of opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari, will see the second-highest deployment at 273 companies. The hill district of Kalimpong will have the least deployment with just 21 companies of Central forces.

Key Points: Bengal Polls Phase 1: Heavy Security in Sensitive Murshidabad

  • Murshidabad identified as most sensitive district
  • 316 security companies deployed there
  • East Midnapore gets second-highest deployment
  • Kalimpong has lowest force deployment
2 min read

Bengal polls: Maximum security forces deployment in Murshidabad on April 23 for first phase

Election Commission deploys maximum security forces in sensitive Murshidabad district for the first phase of West Bengal Assembly elections on April 23.

"The area covered under the Murshidabad Police District is much larger... with the number of sensitive pockets being more - Election Commission Insider"

Kolkata, April 15

The Election Commission of India has identified minority-dominated Murshidabad as the most sensitive among the districts in West Bengal that will be going for polls in the first phase of the state Assembly elections on April 23 and hence has decided to deploy maximum forces there.

Insiders from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) said that of the total of 2,407 companies of security forces to be deployed in the first-phase polling, as many as 316 companies (13 per cent) will be deployed in Murshidabad district alone.

Murshidabad, as an administrative district, has two separate police districts, namely Murshidabad Police District and Jangipur Police District. Of the 316 companies to be deployed in the administrative district of Murshidabad, 240 will be for the Murshidabad Police District, and the remaining 76 will be for the Jangipur Police.

"The area covered under the Murshidabad Police District is much larger than the Jangipur Police District, with the number of sensitive pockets being more, and hence the deployment of forces will be much higher there," the insider explained.

East Midnapore, which is the native district of Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, which is also going for polls in the first phase on April 23, will have the second-highest deployment of security forces at 273 companies (11.34 per cent), followed by West Midnapore at 271 companies (11.25 per cent).

The least deployment of Central forces will be in the hill district of Kalimpong, at just 21 companies.

The districts that will be going for polls in the first phase also include two Police Commissariats, namely Siliguri Metropolitan Police in Darjeeling district and Asansol - Durgapur Police Commissariat in West Burdwan district.

While 44 companies of forces will be deployed in case of Siliguri Metropolitan Police, 125 companies will be deployed for Asansol- Durgapur Police Commissionerate.

The ECI this time has decided that, besides the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), personnel from the India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and armed police wings from other states will be deployed for the two-phase polls in the state, in addition to the West Bengal Police.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While security is important, labeling an entire district as "minority-dominated" and "most sensitive" feels problematic. It creates a certain perception. The focus should purely be on law and order, not demographics. Hope the forces maintain strict neutrality.
S
Siddharth J
Good to see detailed planning. Deploying forces from other states (IRB) is a smart move to ensure impartiality. Bengal elections are always high-decibel, this level of preparation might finally curb the booth capturing and intimidation tactics. Fingers crossed! 🤞
A
Ananya R
The contrast is stark - 316 companies in Murshidabad vs just 21 in Kalimpong. It really shows where the potential flashpoints are. Hope this heavy presence doesn't intimidate ordinary voters but only the trouble-makers.
D
David E
Interesting read. The logistical challenge of deploying over 2400 companies of security forces is immense. Kudos to the ECI for the planning. East Midnapore getting high deployment because it's the opposition leader's area is also a telling detail about the political climate.
K
Kavya N
As a Bengali, I just want peaceful elections. For too long, violence has been a part of our poll narrative. If this massive deployment can break that cycle, it's worth every rupee. Let democracy win, not muscle power. 🙏

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