Security tightened in border districts of West Bengal

Security has been tightened in West Bengal, especially in the border districts, in the wake of the killing of al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden.

Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh told reporters that the border districts have been alerted.

“We have also alerted the Central government agencies responsible for border security, like the Border Security Force,” he said.

The State shares a long border, considered porous by experts, with Bangladesh. It skirts quite a few of the State's 19 districts. There were several instances of these ‘entry points' being used as corridors by militants who have been nabbed by the police and security agencies. In its upper reaches, the State also shares an international boundary with Nepal and Bhutan.

The State is already under a tight security cover in wake of the ongoing six-phase Assembly polls. The fourth phase is scheduled on Tuesday.

At least 500 companies of Central security forces are present in West Bengal now.