West Bengal Elections: 480 Paramilitary Companies Deployed
Paramilitary forces deploy to West Bengal for election duty, traversing rural roads.
Key Highlights
Union Home Ministry deploys 480 paramilitary companies to West Bengal in two phases, starting March 1, 2026, to ensure law and order for the upcoming state assembly elections.
Extensive Paramilitary Deployment Announced for West Bengal
The Union Home Ministry has announced a significant deployment of 480 companies of paramilitary forces to West Bengal. This strategic move is aimed at bolstering law and order across the state in anticipation of the upcoming assembly election, which is scheduled to commence on March 1, 2026. The substantial deployment underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring a secure and orderly electoral process.
Phased Rollout and Force Composition
This extensive deployment will be executed in two distinct phases. The initial phase will see 240 companies deployed starting March 1, 2026. A subsequent contingent of 240 companies is slated for deployment on March 10, 2026, completing the full force mobilization.
The decision for this deployment was formally communicated by the Union Home Ministry to key state officials, including the State Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and the Director General of State Police. The first phase of forces will comprise 110 companies from the CRPF, 55 from the BSF, 21 from the CISF, 27 from the ITBP, and 27 from the SSB.
Ensuring Law and Order Across Key Districts
These paramilitary units are slated for strategic deployment across all eight districts of North Bengal. This includes the geographically significant Darjeeling and Kalimpong Hill districts, where maintaining peace and order is paramount during the election period. The primary objective of dispatching these forces is to uphold law and order rigorously throughout the state during the crucial assembly election period, thereby ensuring a fair and peaceful environment for voting.