Overview
- CAPF directors general, meeting in Kolkata on Saturday in what officials called an unprecedented joint session, agreed on a technology-led Integrated Security Grid with Quick Response Teams and anti-sabotage checks.
- Officials said more than 200,000 personnel and 2,550 CAPF companies are now in West Bengal, with 150 extra companies arriving ahead of Phase 1 on April 23 and Phase 2 on April 29.
- Commanders were told to lead from the front and to enforce the Election Duty Handbook, with extra deployments in Purba Medinipur, Malda, Bhabanipur and Dakshin Dinajpur to keep tense pockets calm.
- Forces brought in bullet-proof anti-riot vehicles from Jammu and Kashmir to drive into conflict-prone areas and push through stone-throwing without injuries to crews.
- The Election Commission plans to retain about 500 CAPF companies after polling and another 200 to guard electronic voting machines and strong rooms through counting on May 4.