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Bengal Polls: Special Checks at Unfenced Borders Ahead of Phase 2

Special scanning is being conducted at unfenced stretches along the Bangladesh border in West Bengal ahead of the second phase of Assembly polls on April 29. CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal confirmed heightened security, including increased naka checking and BSF alertness. A total of 2,348 central force companies will be deployed, with the highest in North 24 Parganas. Coastal patrolling in the Sundarbans has also been intensified due to the coastal boundary with Bangladesh.

Key Points: Bengal Phase 2 Polls: Special Checks at Unfenced Borders

  • Special scanning at unfenced Bangladesh borders
  • 40,000 booths across 142 constituencies
  • 2,348 companies of central forces deployed
  • Highest deployment in North 24 Parganas
2 min read

Special checks at unfenced borders ahead of Bengal phase 2 polls

Ahead of West Bengal's second phase polls on April 29, special scanning is underway at unfenced Bangladesh borders. CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal confirms heightened security.

"Special checking is taking place near the unfenced borders ahead of the polls. - Manoj Kumar Agarwal"

Kolkata, April 25

Following instructions from the Election Commission of India, special scanning is being carried out at unfenced stretches along the international border with Bangladesh in districts of West Bengal that will go to the polls in the second phase of the two-phase Assembly elections in the state on April 29.

"Special checking is taking place near the unfenced borders ahead of the polls. The Border Security Force is on high alert. The intensity of naka checking is also very high in these areas. All precautions have been taken to ensure free, fair and peaceful polls," Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal, said.

He added that since the number of Assembly constituencies going to polls in the second phase, the geographical spread and the number of polling booths are lower than in the first phase on April 23, surveillance and security arrangements will be tighter in the second phase.

In the first phase, polling was held at 45,000 booths across 152 Assembly constituencies spread over 16 districts. In the second phase, polling will be held at 40,000 booths across 142 constituencies spread over six districts and Kolkata.

Moreover, the number of police observers in the second phase is 95, which is 11 more than the 84 deployed in the first phase.

"So naturally, the extent of security coverage and surveillance will be higher in the second phase than in the first phase," the CEO said.

A total of 2,348 companies of central forces -- including the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and armed police units from other states -- will be deployed in the second phase, in addition to personnel from West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police.

The highest deployment of central forces will be in North 24 Parganas district with 507 companies, followed by South 24 Parganas with 409 companies.

Meanwhile, an insider from the CEO's office said coastal patrolling has been intensified in the Sundarbans region spread across South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districts due to the extensive coastal boundary with Bangladesh.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

L
Laura Z
Impressive logistics effort—40,000 booths, 2,348 companies of central forces. That's a massive security footprint. Let's hope this translates into a peaceful polling day for everyone in West Bengal.
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Rohit L
Why is unfenced border still an issue in 2025? Should have been fully fenced long ago. But yes, at least they're doing intensive checking and coastal patrolling in Sundarbans. Better late than never I guess.
A
Arun Y
The comparison between phase 1 and phase 2 is interesting—95 police observers vs 84 earlier. That shows the EC is learning and adapting. Let's just hope the actual voting experience is smooth for citizens in Bengal.
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Neha E
Coastal patrolling in Sundarbans is crucial—that area is so tricky with all those creeks and islands. Hope they've got enough boats and night vision gear. Every vote matters, and security should be top-notch. 🙏
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Jessica F
It's reassuring that the EC is specifying exact numbers of forces and observers. Transparency like this builds trust. But I wonder if these measures are enough to prevent any cross-border mischief. Let's hope for the best.
S
Sneha F
The CEO's statement sounds confident, but ground reality is often

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