Unprecedented Security Summit in Kolkata Ahead of Bengal Assembly Elections
In a historic first for any poll-bound state in India, the director generals of all Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) gathered in Kolkata for a high-level security review meeting. The assembly, held at Science City, focused on the deployment and coordination of nearly 2 lakh personnel for the upcoming two-phase assembly elections in West Bengal.
Massive Force Deployment for Poll Phases
The Election Commission has sanctioned the deployment of 2,407 companies of central forces for the two phases scheduled on April 23 and April 29. This deployment covers 152 constituencies spread across 16 districts in the first phase alone. Unit chiefs from across Bengal attended the meeting, filling the auditorium to capacity, reflecting the critical nature of the security preparations.
Record-Breaking Security Measures in Bengal
This year's elections will witness the highest deployment of central forces in Bengal's history. For context, during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Bengal had 900 CAPF companies managing seven-phase polls, while approximately 725 companies were deployed across eight phases in the 2021 assembly elections. In comparison, Jammu and Kashmir saw nearly 900 CAPF companies during its 2024 assembly elections—the first in a decade—and around 635 companies during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
Landmark Joint Leadership Summit and Integrated Security Grid
Following the initial meeting, a "landmark" joint leadership summit was held at the CRPF office in Salt Lake. Here, CAPF director generals, alongside top officers of the West Bengal Police, agreed to establish an "integrated security grid". This initiative aims to handle potential disruptors in close coordination with local law enforcement, as confirmed by an official. A senior CAPF officer emphasized that this was an unprecedented gathering, noting that a joint meeting of CAPF DGs has never occurred during any past assembly poll.
Mission to Safeguard Democratic Process
CISF DG Praveer Ranjan articulated the mission's significance, stating, "Our mission in Bengal transcends routine security. It is about safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot. To the personnel on the ground, my message is clear: You are the guardians of democracy. We must function not as individual units, but as ‘One Election Force'—cohesive, disciplined and technologically adept." This statement underscores the commitment to ensuring free and fair elections through unified and advanced security measures.
