BENGAL BYPOLLS: HEAVY DEPLOYMENT OF SECURITY PERSONNEL AT POLLING CENTRES

In Trinamool ruled state of West Bengal, the elections are happening in just three centers. Nevertheless, the Election Commission does not want to leave any gaps in the security of the elections in the centers. So more than initially thought, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will be deployed in the three assembly constituencies. Even two police observers will be kept in line with the Assembly elections, EC sources said.

The Election Commission is also under pressure to hold assembly elections in only two constituencies and by-elections in one constituency (Bhawanipur Bypolls).

Initially, it was thought by the Election Commission that 8 to 10 companies would be deployed for each assembly seat. But the BJP leaders in Bengal approached the commission and requested for augmented deployment. At least 40 companies were demanded in each assembly. But the commission was not so strict.

According to sources, a total of 52 companies are coming to the central forces for the three centers. Of which 15 company troops have already left for the state. The route march will also start from tomorrow in the three assembly constituencies.

Of the three centers, Bhabanipur has the least number of troops. According to sources, arrangements are being made for 15 companies for Bhabanipur, 16 for Jangipur and Samsherganj and half for the paramilitary companies respectively. In other words, even in the centre where by-elections are held, the central forces are being deployed in almost 100 percent of the booths. Samsherganj has the highest number of booths among the three centers. Then Jangipur and finally Bhabanipur. The number of booths is 329, 363 and 26 respectively.

In the last assembly elections the people of the state saw Benazir’s fleet of security in the presence of more than 1000 central forces. Assembly polls will be held in Jangipur and Samsherganj on September 30, including by-elections in Bhabanipur.

Incidentally, in the last assembly elections also, elections were held in 100 per cent booths with the security of the central forces. More than 1,000 companies of central forces were deployed in the state to provide security during the long eight-point election. As the vote dragged on, so did the security. At least four people were killed in a self-defense operation at a booth in Shitalkuchi.