Kolkata: Over 2.3 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, 38,297 Bengal police personnel, 142 general observers, 95 police observers, 100 expenditure observers, and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have thrown an unprecedented security blanket across seven poll-bound districts, including Kolkata, ahead of Wednesday's election.
Massive Arrests and Pending Warrants
In the past 72 hours, 2,348 'trouble mongers' have been put behind bars under the Election Commission's directive. Among those arrested are Trinamool councillors from Panihati and Burdwan. EC sources confirmed that 653 non-bailable warrants remain pending. "The commission has asked police to ensure that no trouble-mongers are outside by dawn," a source stated.
Kolkata Sees Highest-Ever Poll Deployment
Kolkata will witness the deployment of 274 companies of central forces, totaling nearly 22,500 personnel. Additionally, Kolkata Police will deploy around 7,250 officers to secure 5,172 polling booths across 1,961 polling premises. This marks the highest-ever poll deployment in Kolkata.
NIA Teams Deployed Across Districts
On Wednesday, the NIA deployed multiple teams across all eight electoral districts. The teams fanned out to various locations, including Khagragarh, where a blast killed two terrorists and injured three others in 2014. District-wide deployment has been planned based on sensitivity and past poll-related incidents.
Force Distribution and Critical Booths
The highest number of forces will be deployed in Kolkata, followed by East Burdwan (263 companies) and Hooghly Rural (236 companies). "The EC will deploy additional CAPF in the form of Quick Reaction Teams in Bhangar, Canning, Falta, and Sonarpur in South 24 Parganas, and in Nadanghat and Ketugram in East Burdwan," a senior EC official said. The commission has identified nearly 12,000 critical booths out of a total of 41,001 polling stations.
Webcasting and Real-Time Monitoring
Extensive security arrangements and real-time monitoring have been put in place to ensure free-and-fair polling, Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal said on Tuesday. "All polling stations are under webcasting, and activities are being monitored from the control room. Immediate action will be taken in case of any complaint," he stated, adding that strong police deployment, supplemented by paramilitary forces, has been ensured outside booths.
Appeal to Voters
Urging citizens to exercise their franchise without fear, Agarwal said: "No one will be able to harm you. The entire administration is vigilant. Voters should go and cast their votes freely." The EC has warned that accountability will be fixed if any untoward incident occurs despite heavy deployment. "Police personnel must carry out their duties effectively. Failure to do so will invite action," Agarwal warned.
Continued Arrests and Patrolling
On Monday night, more than 800 additional people were arrested from poll-bound districts, bringing the total arrests ahead of the second phase to 2,348 in 72 hours. Central forces are visiting sensitive zones and advising local political functionaries to work "within the realm of law" or "face consequences." Central forces have stepped up patrols, route marches, and checkpoint inspections across districts. The EC has directed security personnel to carry out constituency-wise deployment and intensify area domination exercises in interior lanes and sensitive neighborhoods.
Motorcycle Patrols in Kolkata
Keeping EC directives in mind, central forces have started patrolling Kolkata's alleys on motorcycles. From Sunday night, personnel began patrolling the lanes of each police station area. In each station area, a half-section of the central force (four personnel on two bikes) conducts surveillance, accompanied by one or two Kolkata Police officers on separate motorcycles. The bike patrol continued on Tuesday night.
