In the largest-ever security deployment for a state election, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered an additional 500 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections. So far, the CAPF has deployed at least 500 companies, and with this fresh induction, the total deployment now rises to 1,000 companies. Last year, around 920 companies of CAPF were deployed in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha elections—the highest at the time, among all states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur. Earlier this month, the Election Commission announced that the Bihar Assembly elections will be held in two phases on November 6 and 11. The counting of votes will be done on November 14. A source said the Bihar government is learnt to have sought the deployment of 1,800 CAPF companies to maintain law and order and ensure peaceful voting across the state’s 243 constituencies. “The MHA took a decision after assessing the ground situation and asked all the forces that each company should come with complete anti-riot gear, shields, body protectors, shin guards, and lathis per unit, along with gas guns, tear gas grenades, smoke candles, rubber bullets, and plastic pellets,” the source said. The MHA’s latest order, issued on October 8, directs that all forces must be stationed by October 15—leaving authorities with just a few days to complete logistical preparations. “The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) will contribute the largest share with 250 companies, followed by 141 from the Border Security Force (BSF), 85 from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and 75 from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The remaining 449 companies will come from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF),” an official said. Around 129 CRPF companies are being newly drawn from units across India, including Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Chhattisgarh, and Kerala. “Some operational CRPF contingents from J-K will also be shifted to Bihar for the election period,” the official added. A single CAPF company has an operational strength of about 70-80 personnel. “It has been directed that special trains and coaches be arranged by the Railway Board on priority for transporting the large contingent of security personnel to Bihar,” an official said.
