500 companies of Central forces to remain till Durga Puja: Sources

In a significant move to maintain law and order, the Union Home Ministry (MHA) has decided to extend the stay of central paramilitary forces in West Bengal until June 20. However, sources are saying that 500 companies of CAPF may remain in the state till Durga Puja. While the 2026 assembly elections did not witness the severe scale of post-poll violence seen in 2019, persistent reports of local intimidation, threats, and sporadic unrest during civic drives have prompted this precautionary measure.

The decision came via an official fax message from the MHA following a specific request made by the West Bengal government on May 16. The state administration had initially requested the deployment of 500 companies of central forces until October next year, covering the festive season up to Durga Puja, to preemptively manage potential flare-ups. The Centre has partially approved this proposal, securing the current deployment for an immediate extended period to stabilize the ground situation.

The retained contingent of 500 companies features a heavily reinforced breakdown of central units. It includes 200 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 150 companies of the Border Security Force (BSF), and 50 companies each from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).