CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Nearly five thousand central armed police personnel of CRPF and BSF will finally exit Manipur after months of deployment during the unabated violence that began in May. They will now be on poll duty in West Bengal, which has witnessed political clashes in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. The state will see the highest deployment of central forces during the upcoming Lok Sabha elections season.
On Monday, the home ministry wrote to the police chiefs in Manipur, West Bengal and central armed forces asking them to coordinate with the state government and railway board for the deployment of the central forces. The 50 companies of CAPFs coming from Manipur are part of the deployment of additional 100 companies (55 of CRPF, 45 of BSF) being sent to the state as requested by the Election Commission for smooth conduct of polls.
The deployment of central security forces for VIP security and election duties gains significance as clashes between workers belonging to various political parties has often led to blame game between the Centre and state governments.
While the CRPF is asking the West Bengal police to finalise the deployment of the additional 100 companies, it is also approaching the railway board for immediate arrangement of special trains and coaches for immediate deployment in the state.
As many as 177 companies of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and Railway Protection Force (CRPF – 33 companies, BSF – 97 companies, CISF – 17, ITBP – 10 companies, SSB – 15 companies, RPF – 5 companies) are already deployed in West Bengal for area domination, confidence building measures and ensure free and fair polls.