One lakh security personnel for third phase of West Bengal polls

KOLKATA: With the third phase of polling in 62 seats in West Bengal, including seven in the capital city slated for tomorrow, a tight security ring of one lakh security personnel, including 75,000 central paramilitary forces, has been deployed in election-bound areas.

Election Commission officials said 714 companies of central armed police force, comprising around 75,000 personnel, have taken their positions.

As per instruction, central forces are doing route marches as part of area domination exercise to instill confidence among voters.

Some of the personnel who were posted for the fourth phase have also been shifted to the areas going to the polls tomorrow.

Sixty one companies of central forces have been deployed in Kolkata north, 261 in Murshidabad, 198 in Burdwan and 194 in Nadia, the officials said.

Keeping the sensitivity of Murshidabad district in mind, two additional police observers have been given the charge, they said.

Normally each district has one IPS officer as police observer.

Assisting the 75,000 paramilitary personnel, who are not conversant with the local language or geography, is a contingent of 25,000-strong state police personnel.

All polling premises will be guarded by central forces while stick-wielding state personnel, who understand local language, will facilitate queue management.

Officials said state police will be allowed to enter the booth only in extreme cases when the presiding officer seeks so.

Similarly, for every mobile unit of central forces, one state police person will be assisting them in travel.

Officials said increased availability of security forces has been made possible as jawans, who were deployed in Assam where voting has ended, have now been shifted to West Bengal.