Bulletproof vehicles from Kashmir deployed in Bhabanipur as central forces step up election security

Security arrangements in Kolkata’s Bhabanipur area have been significantly intensified ahead of the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections, with bulletproof vehicles brought from Jammu and Kashmir now deployed for patrol duty. These high-security vehicles were seen conducting a route march on Wednesday afternoon, drawing attention from residents and passers-by in the area.

According to Election Commission sources, the deployment of these bulletproof vehicles is part of a broader security strategy aimed at preventing any form of election-related violence, including firing, bomb attacks, or stone-pelting incidents. The vehicles are also expected to play a crucial role in emergency situations, particularly in evacuating VIPs or officials if they become trapped during any law-and-order disturbance.

Each vehicle is heavily fortified and designed to withstand gunfire, making it suitable for high-risk zones. These four-wheelers are typically used by paramilitary forces such as the Central Reserve Police Force in sensitive border regions. They can carry up to eight armed commandos, all equipped with automatic weapons, and are also fitted with crowd-control mechanisms such as smoke emission systems for dispersal of large gatherings if required.

Alongside these deployments, central forces along with local police have already begun conducting regular route marches across Bhabanipur and other parts of the state. During such marches, security personnel have been addressing the public through loudspeakers, urging voters to participate in the electoral process without fear and assuring full protection from any untoward incidents during polling.