States » EastPosted at: Oct 5 2026 5:56PM


Nandigram goes under a security siege - 37 companies of central forces, 700 state police personnel for bypoll

Nandigram, Oct 5 (UNI) Nandigram go to the polls on Tuesday under an unprecedented security blanket, with 37 companies of central forces and around 700 state police personnel deployed across the constituency amid heightened concern over violence and bomb-related allegations during the final days of campaigning.
With 2,66,419 voters set to decide the fate of the candidates, the administration has identified 79 of the constituency's 323 polling booths as sensitive. Around 3,700 central-force personnel are expected to be deployed, alongside the state police, for area domination, route marches, naka-checking, sector duties and law and order maintenance.
The administration has also put every polling booth under 100 per cent webcasting, leaving little room for polling-day activity to escape the surveillance net, said Niranjan Kumar, district magistrate, East Midnapore.
The elaborate security arrangements are particularly significant in a constituency that has remained one of Bengal's most politically volatile battlegrounds. Allegations of bomb attacks and recovery of fresh bombs surfaced during the final phase of campaigning, with rival camps trading charges over attempts to intimidate voters.
Tuesday's polling will therefore be closely watched not merely for the final vote tally but also for whether the administration can ensure a peaceful election in a constituency carrying enormous political significance.
The deployment of 37 companies of central forces for a single Assembly constituency reflects the sensitivity attached to the poll. The central personnel will be used alongside the state police to secure vulnerable locations, maintain law and order and prevent attempts at booth capture or voter intimidation.
“The 79 sensitive booths will receive particular attention, while security personnel will also keep a close watch on entry and exit points and possible trouble spots,” said Anshuman Saha, SP, East Midnapore.
The administration has urged voters to exercise their franchise without fear. The extensive webcasting arrangement is expected to provide an additional layer of scrutiny over the polling process.
Polling will take place from Tuesday morning, with counting scheduled for October 9.
For Nandigram, where the political contest has already been marked by sharp allegations and counter-allegations, the immediate test is clear: whether the constituency can move from a turbulent campaign to a peaceful polling day.
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