The Calcutta HC has directed to review security deployment during civic elections.

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered the State Election Commission to reconsider the security deployment and inform the court within 12 hours after the SEC announced that 9000 state police personnel would be deployed during the civic polls scheduled for February 12 in Bidhannagar, Chandannagar, Asansol, and Siliguri.

"The Election Commissioner Saurav Das shall be held liable if there is any unfortunate incident, according to the High Court." According to High Court sources, the SEC was also ordered to confer with the Chief Secretary, Home Secretary, and DG before advising the court of the final decision on security deployment.

On Wednesday, the SEC said that 9000 state police personnel, including 5500 armed police, will be deployed for the civic polls.

"Armed police officers will be stationed at every polling station. 3500 police officers will be stationed in each of the four locations, but they will not be armed. Bidhannagar will be given special attention because it is a sensitive location, according to EC sources. 

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the state BJP staged a gherao outside the SEC office.

Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition, argued that civic elections scheduled on February 12 in four locations should either be cancelled or central forces deployed to prevent "untoward" incidents. 

"We have sought the deployment of central forces in all four locations, as well as paramilitary forces in Bidhannagar," says the statement. According to the HC, the EC would be held accountable for any adverse incidents, but no IAS officer will be held accountable. BJP candidates are denied the opportunity to file their nominations despite possessing DCR at every location," Adhikari claimed.

Adhikari also urged that the civic elections in Sainthia, Budge Budge, Dinhata, and Bolpur be cancelled. 

However, according to SEC sources, the commission is looking into concerns about BJP candidates being denied the opportunity to file their nominations.