The Election Commission of India has disclosed the deployment details of 480 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in West Bengal before the Assembly election dates are announced. On March 1, 240 companies were already stationed, with the remaining 240 scheduled for deployment on March 10. The North 24 Parganas district will see the highest deployment at 58 companies, followed by Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, Kolkata, and East Midnapore.
In districts like North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, and South 24 Parganas, which border Bangladesh and have a significant minority population, the advanced CAPF deployment is substantial. Conversely, East Midnapore, the native district of the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, will also witness a significant presence. Hooghly will have 27 companies deployed, while East Burdwan and Nadia will see 25 and 22 companies, respectively.
The deployment plan includes 21 companies each for Howrah and Birbhum, with 20 companies allocated for Purulia and West Midnapore districts. North Dinajpur, Malda, West Burdwan, Darjeeling, and Cooch Behar will have 19, 18, 17, 16, and 15 companies, respectively. Bankura will receive 13 companies, Jhargram 11, and South Dinajpur and Jalpaiguri 10 each, while Alipurduar and Kalimpong will have the lowest deployments at seven and four companies, respectively.
Each company, as per the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, will consist of a minimum of 72 personnel from various Central Armed Police Forces, including the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. The CRPF and BSF will have the most significant deployment, with the CRPF overseeing the coordination of CAPF movements. This preemptive deployment in West Bengal, prior to the announcement of polling dates and the enforcement of the model code of conduct, is seen as unprecedented by political analysts.
