Heavy security deployment for 5th phase of Bengal polls

Around 680 companies of central police forces have been deployed in over 53 constituencies and over 20,000 state police personnel

To pre-empt chances of violence during fifth phase of polling in West Bengal tomorrow, a strong contingent of 90,000 personnel of central and state police forces have been deployed in three poll-bound districts of the state.

Election Commission officials said they have deployed around 680 companies of central police forces and over 20,000 state police personnel in over 53 constituencies of South 24 Parganas, Kolkata South and Hooghly districts going to the hustings tomorrow in the fifth phase of polling.

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In two parts of the first phase of polling on April 5 and 11, only 400 companies of central forces were available as polling was simultaneously going on in neighbouring Assam.

From the second phase onwards, over 700 companies of central paramilitary forces have been pressed into service.

After polling ends in one phase, they move on to take up confidence building measures for the next phase, officials said.

Kolkata South alone, which has four assembly constituencies, will have around 110 companies of central forces.

Two police observers, IAS officers from other states, have been earmarked for each of the three districts who will monitor the law and order situation and report to the commission.

The poll watchdog has identified 2,685 vulnerable hamlets in South 24 Parganas, 1,605 in Kolkata South and 1,008 in Hooghly.

Around 4,000 voters have been identified as vulnerable, based on complaints received from them.

Action has been taken against close to 3,000 trouble mongers, they said.