Even before the Assembly elections are officially announced, the Election Commission of India (ECI) deployed 240 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies in West Bengal on Thursday, with 14 companies deployed in the politically charged Purba Medinipur district, according to officials familiar with the matter. According to officials, the early deployment of CAPF coincides with judicial review of the ongoing special intense revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the eastern state.
Although the Supreme Court’s recent judgment did not compel CAPF deployment, it did emphasize the importance of full compliance, robust law-and-order assistance, and unfettered continuation of the exercise. The high court issued mandatory instructions to the police and administration to assist judicial authorities.
The ECI is expected to publish the final electoral roll of West Bengal on February 28, and the early deployment of CAPF is viewed as the poll panel’s attempt to preserve law and order following the publication of the voter list. “The 240 companies are only the first round, with a second tranche due soon. More than 1,000 CAPF companies were deployed in eight phases in 2021, making it one of the greatest central force mobilisations in any state election,” said a senior EC official, who asked to remain anonymous.
Besides Purba Medinipur, both Kolkata and Malda districts witnessed the deployment of 12 companies apiece, followed by Dakshin Dinajpur with 10 companies. Cooch Behar and Barrackpore have each been assigned nine companies, while Murshidabad, Jangipur, Chandannagar, Howrah Rural, and Purba Bardhaman have received eight.
Jalpaiguri, Howrah Police Commissionerate, Basirhat Police District, Asansol-Durgapur (PC), Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, and Birbhum all received seven companies. Jhargram has received five, Sundarban PD has four, and Siliguri PC and Kalimpong have three apiece.
Meanwhile, the central nodal officers (CEO) selected by ECI have begun to take command of the state, which is expected to hold assembly elections in April-May of this year. The deployed CAPF companies pass through district collectors, who also serve as district election officials (DEOs). After arriving in their respective districts, DEOs deploy the forces assembly constituency-wise based on ground assessments and in collaboration with the CEO assigned to their respective areas.
The ECI has already instructed the state police force to produce a detailed report identifying sensitive pockets for the upcoming elections by the second week in March. The second batch of 240 companies is slated to be deployed by March 8, according to officials.
