Kolkata: Two companies of Kolkata Police left for Chhattisgarh early on Friday for Lok Sabha election deployment. This is probably the first time in decades that KP personnel are being posted in a region close to Bastar that still has a significant Maoist presence.
Some senior officers were taken aback at the departure on a day’s notice by a special train, which left Kolkata station for Raipur.“We usually get seven to 10 days notice. This was a bit too quick,” said an officer.
The two companies, comprising 184 members from eight battalions, are being led by ACP Abhijit Malakar of 6th Battalion. The team includes three inspectors, 21 sub-inspectors, sergeants, ASIs and 149 constables. Besides, four wireless operators, four cooks and two sweepers are on the team. The spot of deployment could not be immediately confirmed though sources said the team was headed for Kondagaon, about 70km from Jagdalpur and the third largest city in Bastar division.
Given that several alleged Maosists were killed in an encounter 48 hours ago, the timing of the deployment was under scrutiny, said an officer. Chhattisgarh elections will be held in the first three phases beginning April 19. The KP companies are likely to head for Madhya Pradesh after that.
An officer pointed out all cops had been directed to carry SLR automatic weapons and bullet-proof jackets. “We may not be deployed in troubled zones as experienced units are usually posted in Red zones. But all officers in these two companies undergo regular shooting target practice,” said an officer.
The Election Commission had earlier announced its plan to deploy cops from Bengal on poll duties in MP and Chhattisgarh. According to a source, 15 companies from Bengal—from KP and state police—will be posted in the two states and all have to join duty by April 8.