West Bengal polls: 2.3 L CAPF personnel in phase 2, Kolkata to get 27,300

Kolkata: With the second phase of polling in Bengal scheduled for April 29, the Election Commission has planned a comprehensive and multilayered security deployment plan across 142 assembly constituencies.According to official sources, 2,32,100 personnel of central forces will be deployed extensively across districts, including Kolkata. The Kolkata Police area will witness the highest deployment, with 27,300 personnel, followed by East Burdwan (26,000) and Hooghly (Rural) (23,400).Significant deployment has also been planned in Barrackpore (16,000), Baruipur (16,100), Krishnanagar (14,500) and Howrah Rural (14,700). Other districts and police districts include Diamond Harbour (13,500), Barasat (13,200), Basirhat (12,300), Ranaghat (12,700), Sundarbans (11,300), Howrah Police Commissionerate (11,000) and Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate (5,000). The lowest number of personnel — 1,300 — has been allocated to Asansol-Durgapur.In addition to the CAPF, a total of 38,297 police personnel will be deployed across the state for the April 29 polling. The highest deployment will be in the Kolkata Police area, with 7,241 personnel.A directive issued on Tuesday details security arrangements across multiple police districts, with forces deployed according to local requirements.The plan includes multiple security layers, including booth-level personnel, sector mobiles, Quick Response Teams (QRTs), striking forces, reserve units and district striking forces. Special attention has been given to the security of strong rooms, counting centres and candidates.Additionally, flying squads and naka checking teams will remain active throughout the polling process. Each district will have a designated nodal officer to coordinate force movement and deployment.