Seven companies of BSF moved to North Bengal

To ensure security seven companies of Border Security Force have been moved to Northern West Bengal for the first phase election. Ten BSF companies reached the state on March 15. They have been on route marches so instil confidence among people.

Kolkata: Seven companies of Border Security Force have been moved to Northern West Bengal for the first phase election, officials said on Tuesday.

"Seven companies (around 800 men) of the BSF out of ten have been moved to Coochbehar and Alipurduar for confidence-building measure," Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sanjay Basu told reporters.

Coochbhar and Alipurduar are slated to vote on April 11.

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Ten BSF companies reached the state on March 15. They have been on route marches so instil confidence among people.

He said special police observer, Vivek Dube, will meet all the observers including the general, police and expenditure observer of first three phases at Siliguri Circuit House.

Asked about a deputation filed by the Confederation of state government employees demanding deployment of Central force in all booths, Basu said: "It is our duty to ensure everyone's security and the deployment will be done as per the commission".

The workers' body has highlighted the abnormal death of presiding officer Rajkumaar Rai in Raiganj during the 2018 panchayat election.

The commission has plans to ensure surveillance for zones that lack network connectivity, he said.

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