Kolkata: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma urged people to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise as voting began in Assam and West Bengal. The eastern states of West Bengal and Assam will decide whether the former Naxal-affected ‘Junglemahal’ area of Bengal will transfer its loyalty to the BJP.

According to information, a company of 92 paramilitary forces personnel will be deployed in Bankura, 144 in Jhargram, 139 in West Midnapore, 169 in East Midnapore and 186 in Purulia. The officers will guard 10,288 polling booths housed in 7,061 premises. Besides, the state police will also be deployed at strategic locations.