480 Central Forces Companies In WB From March
Kolkata: In an unprecedented move, the union home ministry has decided to send 480 companies (nazzete) of the central forces “initially” from next month, even before the announcement of Assembly Elections in West Bengal.
He also conveyed the troop deployment plan, which will be in two phases of 240 companies each, in a letter to state chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty on Friday, during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Election Commission’s voter list.
However, while the ruling Trinamul Congress questioned the decision of Amit Shah’s ministry much before the polls were announced, the BJP defended it.
In its letter, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said, “As per the notification dated 20.02.2024 of the Election Commission of India (ECI), it has been decided to deploy 480 CAPPs in the first phase for field domination, confidence building measures, poll day related duties, protection of EVM/Power chamber centers and counting center arrangements etc. during the election process in the State of West Bengal…”
It was added that in the first phase, 240 companies from the central forces will be assigned as of March 1. These include 110 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) companies, 55 Border Security Force (BSF) companies, 21 Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) companies and 27 companies of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The second phase of distribution will begin on March 10. In this phase, 120 CRPF companies, 65 BSF companies, 16 CISF companies, 20 ITBP companies and 19 SSB companies will be involved.
MHA also asked
It has sent a letter to the state government directing it to prepare detailed deployment plan in consultation with the concerned central armed police force (CAPFs) and Chief Force Coordinator.
“Movement and deployment of CAPFs will be coordinated by CRPF. Out of 09 Section of CAPF Coy, 08 Section will be used for deployment at polling stations and other duties while remaining 01 Section will be deployed on QRT duties under Coy Commander.”
Reacting to the development, TMC state vice-president Joyprakash Majumdar said, “The EC can deploy central forces in the state after the elections are announced, but not a day or hour before because an elected government is in place then and there is a federal structure that allows the state government to monitor the law and order situation.”
“It is not clear why such a step was taken in the name of regional dominance. If this is the case, it will set the trend for the deployment of central troops long before the elections.” Opposing him, BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said, “The purpose of central force deployment is to maintain peace and eliminate fears among voters before and during the election.”
