Security personnel on patrol in Raiganj ahead of Bengal poll results NEW DELHI: Even before counting takes place, the Election Commission is preparing for the post-results scenario in West Bengal by retaining around 70,000 central forces personnel in the state for continued vigil, particularly in pockets with a history of post-poll violence, and initiating strict action against any attempts to target political rivals.As part of security arrangements to prevent a repeat of the 2021 post-poll violence — which, as per the then DGP’s report sent to an NHRC inquiry committee, had seen 1,934 incidents including murder, sexual assault, arson and grievous hurt — control rooms are to be set up at the EC’s headquarters, Nirvachan Sadan, and the office of the Bengal chief electoral officer to monitor the situation on counting day, May 4, and direct immediate action in case of any untoward incident.Forces still stationed in Bengal will keep strict vigil in vulnerable pockets that witnessed violence in 2021, and anyone found to be involved in any attempt at violence will face strict action as per law.As per the 2021 NHRC inquiry report, there was organised, widespread and targeted violence based on political affiliation across multiple districts in the months following counting. The 1,934 incidents of post-poll violence included murder (29), sexual assault (12), grievous hurt (391), arson/vandalism (940) and intimidation (562). Though 9,304 persons were accused, only 1,345 were arrested. The NHRC probe found that FIRs were not registered in 60% of complaints.In a recent PIL filed in the Supreme Court, a plea was made to direct the constitution of a high-level monitoring committee under a retired judge to oversee the functioning of law and order machinery in Bengal. It further sought that the state government be told to maintain law and order and take necessary steps, including deployment of adequate central forces personnel in vulnerable areas.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosChanakya Today Exit Poll: BJP Sweep In Bengal, DMK Ahead In TN, Assam Favours NDAUS Hands Back 657 Stolen Antiquities Worth $14 Million To India, Exposes Global Smuggling NetworksNaval Anti-ship Missile : Navy, Drdo Demonstrate Salvo Launch That Can Sink ShipsECI Introduces New QR Code Photo ID Rule To Prevent Unauthorised Entry At Counting CentresCCTV Shows Car Plunging Into Gorge In Una, Himachal | Tyre Burst Suspected, 2 KilledDelhi HC Freezes Sunjay Kapur Assets, Restrains Priya Kapur In High-Stakes Inheritance DisputeLet’s Not Choose For People: Supreme Court Pulls Up Centre Over Minor Rape Survivor’s Pregnancy Case’Sonia Gandhi Takes Decisions’: Congress President Kharge On Karnataka CM Change BuzzHafiz Saeed’s Aides Hunted Down: Lashkar-e-Taiba Loses Commanders to Mysterious KillingsRecord Bengal Turnout at 92.9%, SIR Row and Voter Surge Complicate Poll Reading123PhotostoriesFrom opening up about his troubled childhood and growing up in a violent home to facing bullying at school; Sidharth Bhardwaj recalls his traumatic pastThis Indian street food is crowned Prayagraj’s official signature dish8 South Indian dishes among the Top 100 Pancakes in the WorldVirat Kohli: 7 life lessons to learn from the RCB cricketerTV serials with strong woman leads, ‘Naamkaran’, ‘Neema Denzongpa and others- check the list hereHow to make Rajasthani Gatte Ka Pulao for summer dinner5 most crowded national parks in the USA; what travellers should knowGokuldham society’s plot twists that no one saw coming: From Tapu going bald to Babu Ji going to jailAishwarya Rai Bachchan to Deepika Padukone: The real price of Bollywood’s most expensive sarees explainedFrom UK’s Prince Harry to Japan’s Princess Mako: Royals who gave up their titles and wealth for love — Shocking true stories123Hot PicksExit Poll Result 2026Bengal Election 2026Bengal ElectionPM ModiAjay Pal SharmaBengal Poll RecordHimanta Biswa SarmaTop TrendingPune Gas LeakBengaluru Wall CollapseVande Bharat expressDelhi NewsPawan KheraTripura Madhyamik Result 2026CBSE Class 12th ResultMumbai Police DeathBSE AP SSC Class 10th ResultIPL Orange Cap
Security personnel on patrol in Raiganj ahead of Bengal poll results
NEW DELHI: Even before counting takes place, the Election Commission is preparing for the post-results scenario in West Bengal by retaining around 70,000 central forces personnel in the state for continued vigil, particularly in pockets with a history of post-poll violence, and initiating strict action against any attempts to target political rivals.As part of security arrangements to prevent a repeat of the 2021 post-poll violence — which, as per the then DGP’s report sent to an NHRC inquiry committee, had seen 1,934 incidents including murder, sexual assault, arson and grievous hurt — control rooms are to be set up at the EC’s headquarters, Nirvachan Sadan, and the office of the Bengal chief electoral officer to monitor the situation on counting day, May 4, and direct immediate action in case of any untoward incident.
Forces still stationed in Bengal will keep strict vigil in vulnerable pockets that witnessed violence in 2021, and anyone found to be involved in any attempt at violence will face strict action as per law.As per the 2021 NHRC inquiry report, there was organised, widespread and targeted violence based on political affiliation across multiple districts in the months following counting. The 1,934 incidents of post-poll violence included murder (29), sexual assault (12), grievous hurt (391), arson/vandalism (940) and intimidation (562). Though 9,304 persons were accused, only 1,345 were arrested. The NHRC probe found that FIRs were not registered in 60% of complaints.In a recent PIL filed in the Supreme Court, a plea was made to direct the constitution of a high-level monitoring committee under a retired judge to oversee the functioning of law and order machinery in Bengal. It further sought that the state government be told to maintain law and order and take necessary steps, including deployment of adequate central forces personnel in vulnerable areas.
