Twelve companies of central forces, part of the 125 companies of the central forces to be deployed in poll-bound Bengal by the end of this month, reached some districts on Saturday and held route marches.

According to sources, one company each reached East Burdwan, Birbhum and Bankura. Two companies were deployed in West Burdwan.

The remaining seven companies were scheduled to reach Hooghly, Howrah, North 24-Parganas and South 24-Parganas by Saturday night. By the time this report was filed in the evening, they had already reached Dankuni and Calcutta railway stations.

Jawans carry luggage on Saturday. Munshi Muklesur Rahaman

On why the central forces are already here before election dates are announced, a senior government official said: “It is expected that the Election Commission of India would send a SOP (standard operating protocol) on how to use the forces ahead of the polls. Before district authorities receive specific instruction from the poll panel through Nabanna, forces are used for confidence-building exercises in areas known for untoward incidents during polls.”

Sources also said that the ECI might specify areas where the confidence-building measure would be needed once the 125 companies reach the state by February 25.

“It has often been often alleged in the past that central forces were not used properly as they were not taken to areas which are known for untoward incidents during polls to give an advantage to the ruling party. The BJP has already sent a series of memorandums in this regard. The ECI might keep a track on how the forces are being used this year. It is likely to seek daily reports from the districts on the use of forces,” said a source.

Some officials said that the ECI was keeping track on Bengal’s law and order situation for the past two months. The poll panel had asked authorities to send reports on this regularly for the past two months,

“The poll panel now knows which are the trouble-prone areas. If the authorities don’t use the forces in the required areas, officials concerned may face action,” said a source.

A senior government official said even though they were not prepared to arrange transport, lodging and other facilities for such a huge contingent of central forces much before election dates are declared, district authorities have completed required arrangements on a war footing.

“The state does not want to have a face-off with the poll panel by any means. The district authorities have been given clear instructions to arrange all required facilities for the central forces so that they can take up confidence-building measures,” said a bureaucrat.