The Central forces have arrived in the twin townships ahead of the elections and chances are you have seen them marching in your neighbourhood dressed in combat fatigues and wielding assault rifles.

As of Wednesday, men from three companies of Central forces were camping at different schools of Salt Lake and preparing for election duty. More companies were on their way and were expected to reach Salt Lake and New Town soon, an official of the Election Commission said.

The first to arrive were companies from the Border Security Force (BSF). Each company comprises between 80 and 100 men who will be guarding the polling booths in Salt Lake and New Town tomorrow. They would also be posted around the booths and others would be patrolling on foot and on vehicles.

Many will also be part of Quick Reaction Team (QRT) columns that will move around to curb any incidents of violence or trouble during the poll day.

“Our mandate is clear. We have been asked to intervene at the first sign of trouble any where,” said an officer. They have also been handed out CDs of past elections held in Salt Lake, New Town and Rajarhat and have received a list of booths that are likely to be considered sensitive.

“We know exactly how elections have been taking place here and intend to curb any sort of violence instigated by lumped elements both inside and outside the polling stations,” the senior BSF officer said.

Before coming to Salt Lake, the forces were stationed along the India Bangladesh border at Seemanagar near Krishnanagar. They have also been to Bankura and adjoining areas during the polls.

“While on border duty we have to keep an eye out for trouble-makers and can recognise them instinctively,” said a BSF inspector. “We have to watch out for people trying to cross over illegally as well as smugglers trying to move cattle, drugs, bootleg liquor and banned cough syrup.”

This lookout for people trying to sneak things through the border makes it easy for them to keep an eye out for trouble-makers during the polls. “We automatically scan crowds. It’s part of our training and has now become a habit,” said the inspector.

The men are up from 5am and by 7am they’re out patrolling across Salt Lake, New Town and Rajarhat. Officers of the local police stations are guiding them. “Several residents have been coming forward to interact with us. They greet us and say that they have faith in us,” said the inspector. The forces, however, declined comment about the Sitalkuchi shooting incident.

At a school in Salt Lake’s Sector I, an inspector said their personnel was intentionally keeping a distance from civilians during area domination activities. “We have been surveying the neighbourhood for area domination but even if residents want to interact with us we do not engage with them,” he said.

The men seem impressed with the townships. “We quite liked the wide streets of Salt Lake and New Town. It has a good tree cover that is helping us cope with the heat,” said a constable.

The heat has not affected their patrols. “The summer is oppressive but our personnel are trained for all kinds of weather. Not one of us has complained or fallen sick. We are also following Covid-19 protocol,” said the officer.

The men are tucking water-soaked cloths under their collars for some relief and are wearing caps as shields from the sun. The only complain is about drinking water scarcity in their camps. “We are carrying our ration of food and our quartermasters are rustling up great dishes like rajma-rice, daal and spicy chicken curries. But we have a shortage of water in this building. On some days, we are having to buy water from the local markets,” the officer said.

Many a jawan said that they work on rotation basis and would want to visit Eco Park, Victoria Memorial and Nicco Park on their off days.

Inputs from Brinda Sarkar