Election Commission of India Reveals CAPF Deployment for Bengal Elections
Synopsis
The Election Commission of India has detailed the phased deployment of 480 CAPF companies across West Bengal, marking an unprecedented move ahead of the Assembly elections, raising questions on political preparation and security.
Key Takeaways
480 CAPF companies are being deployed in West Bengal.
The deployment occurs in two phases .
North 24 Parganas receives the highest deployment.
Each company comprises a minimum of 72 personnel .
The move reflects proactive election security measures.
Kolkata, March 2 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has outlined the advance deployment strategy involving 480 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in West Bengal, scheduled in two phases prior to the official announcement of the Assembly election polling dates.
Out of these 480 companies, 240 have already been deployed as of March 1, with the remaining 240 set for deployment on March 10.
The highest concentration of deployment will occur in the North 24 Parganas district, which will receive 58 companies. Following this are 35 companies in Murshidabad, 33 in South 24 Parganas, 30 in Kolkata, and 28 in East Midnapore.
Among these five districts, the most significant advanced CAPF deployment is concentrated in North 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, and South 24 Parganas, with the latter two being near the Bangladesh border, while Murshidabad has a considerable minority population. Additionally, East Midnapore is the home district of the Assembly's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.
In Hooghly district, 27 companies will be deployed, while East Burdwan and Nadia will see 25 and 22 companies, respectively.
Howrah and Birbhum will each receive 21 companies, while Purulia and West Midnapore will have 20 companies each. The deployments will be 19 for North Dinajpur, 18 for Malda, 17 for West Burdwan, 16 for Darjeeling, and 15 for Cooch Behar.
Bankura will see 13 companies, while Jhargram will be allocated 11 companies. In the districts of South Dinajpur and Jalpaiguri, 10 companies will be deployed each, with the least in Alipurduar at 7 and Kalimpong at just 4 companies.
According to directives from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, each company will consist of no fewer than 72 personnel. The deployment includes members from all five CAPFs: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).
The majority of personnel will come from the CRPF and BSF. The deployment operations will be overseen by the CRPF, as clarified by the ECI.
Political analysts observe that such a substantial advance deployment before the polling dates and the initiation of the model code of conduct is quite unprecedented in the state.
Point of View
The advance deployment of CAPF companies in West Bengal reflects a proactive approach to ensuring security during the upcoming Assembly elections. While this move is unprecedented, it highlights the significance of maintaining order and public trust in the electoral process.
NationPress
7 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total number of CAPF companies deployed in West Bengal?
A total of 480 CAPF companies are being deployed in West Bengal.
When will the second phase of CAPF deployment occur?
The second phase of deployment will take place on March 10.
Which district will see the highest deployment of CAPF companies?
North 24 Parganas will have the highest deployment with 58 companies.
What is the minimum number of personnel in each CAPF company?
Each CAPF company will consist of a minimum of 72 personnel.
Which CAPFs are involved in this deployment?
The deployment includes personnel from the CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, and SSB.
