7 companies of para-military forces move to North Bengal ahead of polls

Central police observer for state Vivek Dubey, who received several complaints from the BJP, Congress and CPI(M) about commission's inadequate confidence building measures for restoring confidence of the people, was also camping in north Bengal taking stock of law and order situation.

After ECI's March 10 announcement regarding election schedules, some 10 companies of para-military forces arrived here and began route marching.

But the Opposition parties alleged the central forces should have been sent to north Bengal where the first three phases of polls will be held between April 11-23 for 10 seats, but the central central forces were deployed in the city where poll will be held on May 18.

Official sources on Tuesday said seven companies of central forces had been sent to north Bengal districts for election at Cooch Behar and Alipurduar seats, bordering Assam, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

Reports of violence have been flowing in from Cooch Behar.

The BJP, Congress and Left, claimed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) and state election office have not taken enough confidence building measures to ensure free and fair polling.