KOLKATA, May 21: The Union Home Ministry has decided to continue deploying 500 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in West Bengal till June 20 for post-poll law and order management based on a request from the West Bengal government, an official said Thursday.
In an official communication, the home ministry said the West Bengal government had sought continuation of the Central forces’ deployment till the end of October for post-election duties.
“The request of the Government of West Bengal has been considered in this ministry,” it said.
A senior state government official said the forces are being retained primarily to assist police in maintaining law and order in sensitive areas following the Assembly election.
“The deployment is aimed at ensuring peace and preventing any untoward incidents in vulnerable areas. Coordination between the state police and CAPFs is continuing,” the official said.
The Union Home Ministry has also asked the West Bengal government to ensure necessary logistics, accommodation and other operational arrangements for the central forces stationed across the state.
Repolling in Falta
The repolling in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly constituency on Thursday saw more than 74 per cent of the 2.36 lakh electors exercising their franchise till 3 pm, with no untoward incident reported from anywhere, a poll panel official said.
The total electorate in the constituency comprises 1,21,300 men, 1,15,135 women and nine third-gender individuals. Voting started at 7 am and will continue till 6 pm.
The Election Commission doubled the security arrangements for the repoll after the April 29 polling in the seat was countermanded over allegations of large-scale EVM tampering.
Around 35 companies of the central forces are manning the 285 polling booths to ensure smooth voting. Additionally, 30 Quick Response Teams are on standby to respond swiftly to any disturbance. “Polling has remained peaceful in Falta. We have not received a single report of any problem from anywhere in the constituency. Till 3 pm, 74.10 per cent of polling has been registered,” the poll panel official said. (PTI)
