CRPF chief holds high-level meet in Bengal on poll eve

Sources said that the fact that chief of all major paramilitary forces, namely CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP and SSB, held a brainstorming session in Kolkata on April 18 in connection with poll preparedness, was something that has not been witnessed in the recent past in any of the poll-bound states.

Singh has also visited several camps of the paramilitary force across Kolkata and neighbouring areas to review preparations for elections in West Bengal, scheduled to be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29.

Heads of four key CAPFs meeting under one roof and holding deliberations regarding preparations of elections for a single state, raised eyebrows among several stakeholders, who termed the development one of its kind in recent memory.

Even the deployment of more than 2 lakh CAPF personnel in an election-bound state is learnt to be a first-of-its-kind development in recent history of elections, said sources.

On Monday, the CRPF chief GP at least three camps in Kolkata – camp at JCC Law College, Shree Didoo Maheshwari Panchayat Vidyalaya Bada Bazar and at Maulana Azad College (all in Kolkata). On Wednesday, Singh visited Antla in Mohanpur, West Medinipur, following group clashes on April 21.

CRPF sources said the local police was advised to arrest all individuals involved in violence and arson, while the DG's visit was aimed at restoring normalcy and build confidence among the local community to ensure a secure environment for the upcoming polls.