Kolkata: Sixty uniformed personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Kolkata Police are conducting rounds of each of the 22 strong rooms across seven counting centres in the city. In total, the city's strong rooms will have 1,500 CAPF and Kolkata Police personnel on duty per shift.
Security Layers
Three sections, or one platoon, consisting of 24 to 30 CAPF personnel, are armed and protecting the innermost layer. Kolkata Police will provide security for the two outer layers. Each strong room will have 12 Kolkata Police officers and 24 constables across three shifts. One layer of Kolkata Police officers will also be armed. The local police have been assigned to form the third layer.
Statewide Security
Across the state, more than 200 companies of CAPF have been requisitioned to protect 294 strong rooms. Additionally, 7,500 Bengal Police personnel will provide support and form the peripheral security. Election Commission officials stated that three layers of security will also be provided at all 77 counting centres.
Counting Centres in Kolkata
For the Kolkata (South) constituencies, counting will take place at Baba Saheb Ambedkar Education University (West Bengal University of Teachers' Training, Education Planning & Administration), Ballygunge Government High School, Sakhawat Memorial Government Girls' High School, and St Thomas Boys School. Three counting centres will be used for the South 24 Parganas constituencies: A P C Ray Polytechnic College, Viharilal College, and Hastings House Complex.
"As of now, we plan to depute 100 personnel to the counting centre on May 4 to remove any sort of gathering outside them," said an officer. Until counting day, only authorised central forces personnel and Election Commission officials are allowed near the strong rooms.
District Security
A similar standard operating procedure has been prepared for the districts. "The district EVMs are being protected through a three-layered security system where, besides CAPF and local police, the state's reserved police provides an extra security ring. Since Kolkata Police does not have such a unit, officers from the battalions will join the local police in securing the area," explained an officer.
Additional Measures
Guard rails have been placed on approach roads to the counting centres, and pickets have been set up outside the strong rooms. Strict instructions prohibit any unauthorised person from entering the counting centres. Each of the three police divisions (nine police stations in total) where elections were held on Wednesday has been assigned additional personnel to maintain peace in the areas. "We will deploy additional Quick Response Teams, Heavy Rapid Fire Service, and Heavy Fire Service vehicles, especially near the counting centre, on counting day," an officer said.
All police officers on patrol will wear body cameras, and those in sensitive pockets will have video cameras. Bike patrol teams will focus on narrower roads.
