WB to get security personnel from Assam, AP, Odisha and Sikkim for Monday panchayat polls

Kolkata: Around 1,500 security personnel from four neighbouring states like Assam, Odisha, Sikkim and Andhra Pradesh will be arriving to West Bengal for the panchayat elections scheduled on Monday, a senior official said on Friday.

While ten companies (each company comprising of 80 personnel) of forces will be arriving from Andhra Pradesh while the North-Eastern state of Sikkim will be sending four companies, the official at the state secretariat told PTI.

Besides, two companies each from Odisha and Assam will start arriving to West Bengal from Saturday, the official added.

In addition to around 46,000 personnel of the state police and 12,000 of the Kolkata police, the state government would use close to 2,000 security personnel from the departments of excise, prison and forest in manning the booths during voting for three-tier panchayat bodies on May 14, he said.

Another source at the secretariat said that the forces will start route marches from Saturday.

Police personnel besides, observers have already started reaching the districts. he said.

Meanwhile, state Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya, Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkayastha, ADG (Law) Anuj Sharma today attended meeting at the State Election Commission regarding the security measures for panchayat elections on Monday.