Reacting to the stepped up security for Bengal polls, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee compared it to a state of emergency.
To check violence during the fifth phase of assembly election in West Bengal today, close to 80,000 personnel of central and state police forces have been deployed in 53 constituencies spread across the three poll-bound districts.
Election Commission officials said they have deployed around 680 companies of central police forces and over 20,000 state police personnel in over 53 constituencies of South 24 Parganas, Kolkata South and Hooghly districts.
Reacting to the stepped up security, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee compared it to a state of emergency. "They have almost declared an emergency in the state. But we are quiet," she said yesterday.
The opposition has welcomed it. West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee President Adhir Choudhury told NDTV, "The ruling party is using all its might on Election Day and using criminal elements and history sheeters. The situation cannot change overnight but on the day of the vote the election commission must stop criminals, booth capturing etc."
The BJP candidate from Bhabanipur, Chandra Bose said, "People are fearing that there may be violence and some vested interests would oppose free and fair voting in Bhabanipur. We welcome the move the Central government has taken."
Given the violence when North Kolkata voted, the Election Commission is taking no chances. Kolkata South alone, which has four assembly constituencies, will have around 110 companies of central forces.
In two parts of the first phase of polling on April 5 and 11, only 400 companies of central forces were available as polling was simultaneously going on in neighbouring Assam.
From the second phase onwards, over 700 companies of central paramilitary forces have been pressed into service. After polling ends in one phase, they move on to take up confidence building measures for the next phase, officials said.
Two police observers, IAS officers from other states, have been earmarked for each of the three districts who will monitor the law and order situation and report to the commission.
219 teams of heavy radio flying squad, 225 quick response teams, 346 mobile response teams, 146 flying squads and 136 motorcycle mobile units will also be on guard during polling. Monitoring will also be done using web cameras, CCTVs, digital cameras and camera-fitted vehicles which will survey all sensitive areas.