Date:03/01/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/03/stories/2009010360331000.htm

National

Central forces for Nandigram by-elections

Indrani Dutta

Kolkata: Around 15 companies of central forces are being sent to Nandigram for the Assembly by-elections to be held on January 5, according to West Bengal Chief Secretary Ardhendu Sen.

Mr. Sen, who took over from Ashok Mohan Chakraborty, told reporters at the Secretariat that of these, seven would be from the Border Security Force and the rest from the Central Reserve Police Force.

The Director-General of Police as well the Chief Election Officer held meetings with local officials in Nandigram on Friday.

Inspector-General (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia said there would be armed police in every booth and high-range security measures would be put in place, but did not elaborate.

The West Bengal government had asked the Centre to send 20 companies of central forces for three by-elections including Nandigram.