Bengal seeks 300 companies of central forces for poll

The West Bengal government today sought 300 companies of central para-military forces for deployment during panchayat poll in the rural areas for 15 days from June 28.

"Today we sent a letter to the Union Home Ministry seeking 300 companies of para-military forces for deployment during panchayat poll from June 28 till the counting of votes was over on July 13," state Home Secretary Basudev Banerjee said at the state secretariat. Stating that five types of central para-military forces- BSF, CRPF, CISF, SSB and ITBP - have at present been posted in the state, Banerjee noted, "We will have to rest content with whatever forces we will get from the Centre."