New Delhi, Mar 18: The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Director General (DG) Kuldeep Singh on Thursday said that over 700 companies of the force were being deployed in West Bengal for smooth and peaceful conduct of forthcoming assembly elections.

Addressing media on the eve of the Force’s 82nd raising day, Mr Singh said, “Four hundred ninety five out of the 725 companies have already reached the state while the rest are on their way.” He further explained that one company of the force has an operational strength of about 72 personnel.

West Bengal will go for an eight-phased polling for its 294-member assembly beginning March 27.

On the issue of threat assessment in his home cadre poll-bound state, 1986-batch IPS officer said, “Threat assessments are done by state authorities in areas and they decide deployment on that basis. We do not have any such assessment that which phase would be more challenging.”

However, he said, “We are committed to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections. We provide support, we do not gather intelligence.” He also informed that the force provided its VIP security cover to 13 people in the state.

Mr Kuldeep Singh was recently appointed as the head of the largest paramilitary force of over 3.25 lakh personnel. He has been serving as a Special DG in the CRPF before taking up the top post.(UNI)