Kolkata: EC will deploy 2,193 quick response teams (QRTs) across 152 constituencies in 16 districts for the first phase of assembly polls on April 23.Murshidabad will see the highest deployment with 288 QRTs, followed by East Midnapore (253) and West Midnapore (248). Other districts with significant presence are Bankura (180), Birbhum (161), Malda (157), Purulia (139) and Cooch Behar (133).Each QRT will include at least one state police officer of sub-inspector or assistant sub-inspector rank, along with four to six personnel from central forces. Depending on requirements, some teams may have additional CAPF personnel. All vehicles will be fitted with cameras, and team leaders will be provided detailed booth maps to ensure swift movement.“QRTs will act as the first line of response in case of booth capturing, violence or any poll-related complaint. They will remain in constant touch with sector officers and control rooms to facilitate immediate intervention. Upon receiving instructions from the control rooms or observers, the QRTs will reach the troubled spot in a few minutes,” a senior EC official said.In north Bengal, Jalpaiguri will have 83 QRTs, South Dinajpur 75, Alipurduar 70, Darjeeling 52 and Kalimpong 17. North Dinajpur has been split into Islampur and Raiganj police districts, with 54 and 65 teams respectively, while Siliguri police commissionerate will have 39.In south Bengal, Asansol-Durgapur police commissionerate will get 113 QRTs and Jhargram 66. East Midnapur will have 430 sector offices followed by Murshidabad police district (393), West Midnapore and Bankura (380 each), and Purulia (297).
