Recently, the West Bengal election security arrangements face the intense scrutiny due to the show of force. Kolkata hosts the high level security meeting with CRPF, BSF, CISF, SSB, and ITBP officials to finalize the plans for polling on 23 and 29 April.
High-Level Security Meeting in Kolkata amid West Bengal Elections
The meeting is conducts to create the combined security system but also raised concerns in parts of the state, where people question whether this extensive mobilization carried out with enough sensitivity on the ground.
The size of the deployment is significant. Officials say it is one of the largest in recent years, involving about 2,500 companies of Central forces, which amounts to roughly 2 lakh personnel stationed across West Bengal.
Strict Polling Security
The unusually large presence of Central forces has sparked political and public debate, especially as reports of intimidation, overreach, and politically biased behavior arise from multiple districts.
According to police sources, the injured head constable of the CRPF’s 142nd Battalion found in the jurisdiction of the Shaktipur police station in the Rejinagar Assembly constituency. He is currently receiving treatment at Behrampore Medical College. Doctors report that his condition is stable, but he remains under observation. This incident sparked discussions about the mental well-being of forces stationed in areas identified as highly sensitive for polling.
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