Bengal polls: 84 police observers in state, highest from UP

KOLKATA: Bengal has the highest number of police observers — 84 — deployed among all four states and the union territory headed to polls. Most of these officers arriving in Bengal are from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

From securing the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir to handling the Rangpanchami festival in Indore — both of which witness a footfall of thousands — these senior IPS officers have handled several law-and-order challenges in their line of duty. Yet, coming to Bengal, they claim, is a "whole new experience."

Kolkata North will have three observers; South Kolkata will also get three. Amit Kumar, additional CP in Indore, is tasked as a police observer for Chowringhee and Entally. Kumar insisted on Friday that his "interaction so far with every stakeholder and voter has been cordial". "We have a few key meetings lined up. We are reporting to the EC daily. I have spoken to hundreds of people already. Thirteen of us (police observers) are staying together and sharing our experiences each night," said Kumar.

"I was told Bengal is politically vibrant. I have already witnessed the same. But the tempo is still to pick up. I may witness the same from next month," Kumar told TOI.

The police observers reaching Bengal will be from 22 different state and union territory police cadres. While 10 officers have come from Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra has sent nine, and eight have come from Madhya Pradesh. Election-bound states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala will also be sending their officers to Bengal on the direction of the ECI, similar to how officers from here have been deputed to those states.

Among some interesting appointments, one of the observers comes from J&K and will be posted in the bordering district of Nadia. Mohd Suleman Choudhary, IG Traffic of J&K, who is in charge of Karimpur, Tehatta, Palashipara, Kaliganj, and Nakashipara in Nadia, is known for overseeing traffic management on key routes like the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and organizing traffic arrangements for events such as the Amarnath Yatra. He was awarded for meritorious service in 2026.

Even as officers from Assam — another election-bound state — have been deputed here, none of the Bengal officers are being sent to the state. Several observers said they were carrying out daily visits to booths and sensitive areas. "Every step is being monitored by the EC. We are keeping track of both licensed arms being submitted at police stations and illegal weapons being seized," said an officer.

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