Kolkata, April 19: In a strong display of inter-agency coordination and commitment to the democratic process, the top leadership of India’s Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) convened a meeting in Kolkata on Sunday. The high-level joint meeting, attended by the Directors General of CRPF, BSF, CISF, SSB, and ITBP, aimed to establish a robust, technology-driven security framework for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections in 2026.
The primary goal of these forces is to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections, allowing every citizen to exercise their voting rights without fear or intimidation. With the first phase of voting scheduled for April 23 across 152 constituencies, this joint address serves as the final operational alignment for thousands of personnel deployed on the ground.
Following an internal review, a historic joint meeting was held at the CRPF’s Third Signal Centre in Salt Lake. Initiated by CRPF’s IG (State Force Coordinator) Salabh Mathur, the session included heads of CISF, BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB, and West Bengal Police, as well as police advisors from the Election Commission.
The leadership reviewed the deployment of Quick Response Teams (QRT) and anti-sabotage investigations, ensuring that the integrated security grid is prepared to address potential disruptions in coordination with local law enforcement agencies.
Praveer Ranjan, Director General of CISF, emphasized that the mission in West Bengal goes beyond regular security; it is about safeguarding the sanctity of the ballot. He conveyed a clear message to personnel on the ground: “You are the guardians of democracy. We must operate not as separate units, but as ‘one election force’—united, disciplined, and technically proficient.”
With the first phase of elections commencing on April 23, CAPF leadership has set an example by emphasizing accountability. Supervisory officials have been tasked with leading by example to maintain discipline and high standards during voting. The deployment includes extensive monitoring of sensitive areas and mandatory use of the election duty handbook by all personnel to ensure full compliance with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The meeting concluded with a boost in morale among security personnel, signaling to voters that the security apparatus is fully prepared to provide a safe and peaceful voting environment in the NCR and West Bengal regions.
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