When officers were 'reduced' to gentlemen

Kolkata, Apr 27 (UNI) For the first time in over three decades West Bengal witnessed a kind of bandobast that saw the khakis take over the polling process from the men in white.

Altogether A 12.5 million strong electorate is due to exercise its franchise in 76 out of 77 assembly constituencies in the state capital, North and South 24 Parganas to elect representatives from among 485 candidates, including 38 women.

Polling is being held amid very tight security with more than 50,000 central para miliatry force jawans manning all the 13,790 polling booths and patrolling streets.

A view of the city unfolds the story of this election, where the process has been completely taken over by the Haryana, Punjab and Orissa police and central para-military forces comprising CISF, CRPF BSF and RPF, marking a role reversal for the first time.

The city police were left as mere spectators patrolling the area and maintaining the law and order of the city in general.

However, this has evoked a positive reaction from the people who matter. The voters seem to be extremely pleased with the way the polling was being conducted.

The state of the city police was evident from what a constable did when asked if they were under less pressure this time. He waved, smiled and walked away in a hurry.

UNI BA PL YA VC1455