Central Forces Launch Route Marches in West Bengal Ahead of Voter List Publication
In a significant security move, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) initiated comprehensive route marches across several districts of West Bengal on Saturday. This deployment occurred just hours before the Election Commission of India was scheduled to publish the state's updated voter list following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Extensive Deployment Across Multiple Districts
The route marches were systematically conducted in the districts of Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, Jhargram, and Darjeeling. In Murshidabad district specifically, central forces established camps at strategic locations including Suti, Shamsherganj, and Beldanga. This district holds particular significance as nearly one-sixth of all voters whose status was marked "under adjudication" in the electoral rolls originate from Murshidabad, numbering over 10 lakh individuals.
Murshidabad has experienced multiple episodes of violence over the past two months, creating an environment of heightened tension. In response to these security concerns, central forces conducted patrols across various parts of the district throughout Saturday.
Strategic Patrols in Sensitive Areas
In Nadia district, forces carried out patrols in Nakashipara, Chapra, Dhubulia, and Tehatta within the Krishnanagar police district jurisdiction. Additionally, patrols covered Ranaghat, Shantipur, Chakdah, and Haringhata in the Ranaghat Police District. These areas are considered particularly sensitive due to their high concentration of Matua community voters, a demographic that often plays a crucial role in West Bengal's electoral dynamics.
Central forces also conducted marches through Jhargram district, specifically in the Lalgarh and Binpur areas. A district official indicated that additional forces are expected to arrive in Jhargram ahead of the Holi festival celebrations.
Northern District Deployments and Future Plans
In Darjeeling district, Superintendent of Police Pratiksha Jharkharia confirmed that area domination exercises were executed along the Phansidewa route. "Three companies from Sikkim and two from Jalpaiguri have already arrived, with one additional company from Bihar currently en route," stated the SP. In neighboring Jalpaiguri district, patrol operations are scheduled to commence on Sunday. District Magistrate Shama Parveen confirmed that seven companies have been deployed to cover seven assembly constituencies.
North 24 Parganas district is expected to receive at least 30 companies of CAPF personnel, with the highest concentration planned for the Barrackpore area. Barrackpore Police Commissioner Praveen Tripathi elaborated, "Nine companies of central forces will be deployed within the Barrackpore commissionerate. These forces are anticipated to arrive on Sunday, after which route marches will begin in earnest."
This comprehensive security deployment comes at a critical juncture as West Bengal prepares for the publication of its revised electoral rolls, with central forces taking proactive measures to maintain law and order across multiple districts identified as potentially sensitive during the electoral revision process.
