Teams from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) have been deployed in seven districts of West Bengal to search for explosives ahead of the second phase of the state assembly elections.
The proactive deployment comes after the agency started investigating a bomb seizure case in Bhangar's Uttar Kashipur area on a home ministry directive.
The teams have been specifically deployed at Bhangar, Burdwan, Hooghly, Nadia, Baruipur and Kasba, Diamond Harbour, the Bishnupur police station area, and the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate area.
The NIA's first formal involvement in the election cycle came after seven judicial officers were held hostage by a mob in Malda on April 1.
The Election Commission of India directed West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest bomb makers across the state within 24 hours, with all such cases to be investigated by the NIA.
The ruling Trinamool Congress has criticised the move, while the Opposition BJP has welcomed it.
