The Election Commission of India has designated Murshidabad, a minority-dominated district in West Bengal, as the most sensitive area for the upcoming state Assembly elections on April 23. Out of the 2,407 security force companies to be deployed in the first phase, 316 companies, accounting for 13%, will be stationed in Murshidabad alone.
Murshidabad, an administrative district with two police districts, will see 240 companies assigned to the Murshidabad Police District and 76 to the Jangipur Police District. The larger coverage and higher number of sensitive areas in the Murshidabad Police District necessitate a greater force deployment there.
East Midnapore, the home district of Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, will have the second-highest security force deployment with 273 companies, followed by West Midnapore with 271 companies. In contrast, the hill district of Kalimpong will have the lowest deployment of Central forces, at only 21 companies.
The first phase of polls will also cover two Police Commissariats: Siliguri Metropolitan Police in Darjeeling district and Asansol – Durgapur Police Commissariat in West Burdwan district. While Siliguri will have 44 deployed companies, Asansol – Durgapur will see 125 companies in place.
For the upcoming two-phase elections in West Bengal, the Election Commission plans to deploy personnel from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), India Reserve Battalion (IRB), and armed police units from other states alongside the West Bengal Police.
