Patna, April 23 (IANS) As polling for the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly elections is underway on Thursday, security agencies intensified vigilance along Bihar’s border areas adjoining the state, with Katihar district placed on high alert.

According to sources, police have launched a special mirror-checking drive at 11 strategic entry and exit points in the Katihar district connected to West Bengal.

Every vehicle passing through the district is being subjected to a thorough inspection, with authorities treating each movement with heightened suspicion to prevent any illegal activity.

The inter-state border has effectively been sealed, with security personnel maintaining constant surveillance over all routes connecting Bihar and West Bengal.

In view of the sensitive election atmosphere, the Bihar Police has adopted a zero-tolerance approach, especially along routes previously identified as vulnerable to drug trafficking and other illicit operations.

Officials said enforcement has been significantly strengthened to curb any attempt to exploit the election period for cross-border crimes.

In recent days, anti-narcotics operations carried out by police stations in border areas have disrupted several illegal networks.

Katihar Superintendent of Police Shikhar Chaudhary stated that the Bihar Police are fully committed to ensuring peaceful and fair elections in neighbouring West Bengal. “No suspicious person or vehicle will be spared. Every movement is under strict surveillance,” he said.

Local inputs suggest that the intensified crackdown has created panic among smuggling networks and anti-social elements, with previously active routes now under strict monitoring.

Overall, the Katihar-Bengal border has effectively been transformed into a fortified security zone, with continuous ground-level checks supported by digital surveillance to ensure law and order during the election process.

Similarly, security checking has been implemented in Kishanganj and Purnea districts as well, with all routes connected to West Bengal being thoroughly checked. The administrations of these two districts also adopted a zero-tolerance policy for the peaceful conduct of elections.

–IANS

ajk/skp