WB to retain 45 companies of central force after polls

The West Bengal government today said it will retain 45 companies of central force for 10 days after the panchayat election process is over to prevent post-poll violence in the state.
"We will retain 45 companies of central force for 10 days after the panchayat election process closes in order to prevent post-poll violence," State Home Secretary Basudeb Banerjee told PTI.
He said 295 companies of central force are present in the state at present and the state government would release 250 of them immediately after the poll process was over.
The remaining 45 companies of central force would remain deployed in most vulnerable and sensitive areas to defuse tension and prevent any post-poll violence, Banerjee said.

Necessary communication had already been made with the MHA in this regard, he said.
During the post election period, the central force would be used mainly for route march and area domination according to sensitivity of a particular place, state secretariat officials said.
Sixteen people have lost their lives in the ongoing panchayat polls in the state.
The fifth and last phase of the poll is scheduled for July 25, while the counting of votes will start from July 29.