As West Bengal prepares to release the final voters’ list on Saturday, the police have been instructed to be on high alert. A recent police order has directed the mobilization of forces personnel at battalion headquarters to be maximized. Division and unit heads have been told to pull back personnel from regular duties to be ready for any potential unrest following the list’s publication.
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have already begun deploying 240 companies to West Bengal in phases starting from March 1. This initial deployment includes companies from various forces such as the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB. The deployment of CAPF ahead of polling dates and the enforcement of the model code of conduct is unusual.
Another 240 companies of CAPF are scheduled for deployment on March 10. The Election Commission of India has mandated fitting GPS trackers in vehicles assigned to CAPF personnel to ensure effective monitoring by central observers. The CAPF units are expected to be actively engaged in area control and familiarizing themselves with the state’s geography from the outset.
