With the upcoming Assembly elections scheduled in two phases on April 23 and April 29, security arrangements across West Bengal have been significantly intensified. From rural hinterlands to urban centers including Kolkata, law enforcement agencies have ramped up surveillance measures. Checkpoints have been established along major roads, while the Border Security Force (BSF) has increased patrols in sensitive border areas.
Amid heightened security concerns, Governor R. N. Ravi convened a high-level meeting with BSF officials at Raj Bhavan on Thursday. During the meeting, senior BSF officials presented a detailed assessment of the prevailing security situation along the India-Bangladesh border.
According to sources, BSF Additional Director General Sumit Sharan, who heads the Eastern Command, briefed the Governor extensively on operational preparedness and deployment strategies ahead of the elections. The presentation reportedly covered surveillance mechanisms, troop positioning, and contingency plans.
Following the briefing, the Governor commended the BSF for its preparedness and emphasised the importance of ensuring public confidence during the electoral process. Referring to past instances of poll-related violence, he stressed the need for strict action against illegal activities and urged coordinated efforts to guarantee peaceful voting.
Senior BSF officials assured that the force remains fully committed to facilitating free, fair, and impartial elections. Discussions during the meeting also focused on preventing infiltration, curbing arms smuggling, and monitoring the movement of illicit funds across the border.
An official from Raj Bhavan stated that the meeting involved a “constructive dialogue” on multiple aspects, including law and order, potential cross-border threats during the polls, and mechanisms to ensure smooth election conduct.
Meanwhile, administrative sources indicated a breakthrough in the long-standing deadlock between the Centre and the State over unfenced stretches of the India-Bangladesh border. The State Secretariat, Nabanna, has initiated the process of transferring land to the BSF for border infrastructure development.
Approximately 105 acres of land are reportedly being handed over to facilitate the construction of barbed-wire fencing along a 17-kilometre stretch. Plans are also underway to establish new Border Outposts (BOPs) to strengthen surveillance. Officials believe that these measures, once implemented, will significantly bolster border security and contribute to maintaining law and order during the election period.
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