19 April,2026 06:46 PM IST | Kolkata | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/Special Arrangement
Senior officials of India's Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) met in Kolkata on Saturday to review security arrangements for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, with the first phase of polling scheduled for April 23.
The meeting brought together Directors General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The discussions focused on coordinating deployment and strengthening security measures to ensure smooth conduct of the elections across the state.
A key coordination meeting was held at the 3rd Signal Centre of the CRPF in Salt Lake. It was chaired by CRPF Inspector General and State Force Coordinator Salabh Mathur and attended by senior representatives of CAPFs, West Bengal Police, and the Election Commission's police advisor.
Officials reviewed operational strategies, including deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRTs), anti-sabotage checks, and strengthening an integrated security grid to respond to potential threats. Coordination between central forces and state police was also discussed.
According to officials, the primary objective remains to ensure that voters can cast their ballots without fear or disruption. Security arrangements include intensified surveillance in sensitive areas and adherence to Election Commission guidelines.
CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan said personnel deployed for election duty must function in a coordinated manner and maintain discipline while carrying out their responsibilities.
With polling set to begin in 152 constituencies in the first phase, CAPF leadership has directed supervisory officers to oversee ground operations closely. Personnel have been instructed to follow the Election Duty Handbook to ensure compliance with Election Commission norms.
The review comes as thousands of security personnel have already been deployed across West Bengal, with additional reinforcements expected in the coming days.
Officials indicated that inter-agency coordination will remain a key focus throughout the election process. The integrated approach, involving central forces and local police, is aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing any disruption during polling.
The security review concluded with officials expressing confidence in the preparedness of forces to conduct the elections in a peaceful manner.
