MHA to send 100 CAPF companies to Bengal, 25 of them from Manipur

The MHA’s directions came after the Election Commission asked it to step up security in West Bengal to ensure fair Lok Sabha elections, citing violence in previous polls.

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Earlier, 25,000 central security personnel were deployed in West Bengal for elections to three Lok Sabha seats in the first phase of polling on April 19.

The Union Home Ministry has directed central forces to send 100 companies comprising 10,000 troops to West Bengal by April 15, with 25 of these companies being diverted from strife-torn Manipur.

The MHA’s directions came after the Election Commission (EC) asked it to step up security in West Bengal to ensure fair Lok Sabha elections, citing violence in previous polls.

“Fifty-five companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and 45 companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been directed to reach West Bengal by April 15,” an official said.

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The 25 companies from Manipur belong to the CRPF.

Earlier, 25,000 central security personnel were deployed in West Bengal for elections to three Lok Sabha seats in the first phase of polling on April 19.

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The EC had sanctioned the deployment of 920 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in West Bengal — the highest among all states. Around 50 people died in connection with the panchayat polls held eight months ago in the state. The 2021 Assembly polls also witnessed its share of pre-poll, during the poll and post-poll violence.

Follow live updates here | Voting to kick off on April 19, will be held in 7 phases; results on June 4

“Over two dozen companies have been relocated from Manipur to West Bengal, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and personnel from Jharkhand will also be deployed in the state for poll duties,” an official said.

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