Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday announced that central armed police forces will remain deployed in West Bengal for 60 days after the conclusion of the ongoing Assembly elections.
Addressing a public gathering after a major roadshow in Behala, Shah urged voters to participate in the democratic process without fear during the final phase of polling scheduled for April 29.
“Brothers and sisters, go and vote on the 29th, do not worry… central forces are deployed at every nook and corner,” he said, assuring voters of security arrangements. He added that even after the results, central forces would continue their presence in the state for 60 more days.
The elections to the 294-member West Bengal Assembly are being conducted in two phases. The first phase, held on April 23, recorded a high voter turnout of 93 percent. The second and final phase will take place on April 29, with vote counting scheduled for May 4.
Shah’s remarks come amid a politically charged contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the ruling Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
