The Union Home Ministry has directed the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to deploy at least 500 companies for initial deployment and 118 companies for area domination during the forthcoming assembly elections in Bihar. With the exact schedule and the number of phases for the 243-member Assembly polls expected to be announced in early October, the Election Commission is set to go on a two-day visit to Bihar on October 4, to review preparations, the poll panel said Saturday. In a communication on Saturday, it has been conveyed that for deployment of CAPF companies for Assembly elections in Bihar, MHA has issued an order for initial deployment of 500 CAPF companies and the induction of forces will be completed by October 5, 2025. “The units will be drawn from across multiple paramilitary organizations: 118 companies of CRPF, 99 of BSF, 92 of CISF, 75 of ITBP, 96 of SSB, and 20 of RPF. 118 companies have been asked to use for area domination, confidence building measures, conduct of flag marches, surveillance during the election process in Bihar to be inducted by October 5. Around 71 companies will be mobilised from Jammu and Kashmir,” the communication said. 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 into Bihar,” an official said. In February, the MHA had sent 220 companies of CAPF to Delhi for area domination, flag marches, point patrolling, confidence building measures and to ensure the conduct of free, fair and peaceful during the Assembly elections. Last year, around 920 companies of CAPF were deployed in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha elections — the highest among all states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur.
