The Election Commission (EC) on Friday said the deployment of 500 companies of central forces in the state will continue even after the counting of votes on May 4, while also initiating a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the recent gherao of judicial officers in Malda.

The state will go to assembly polls in two phases on April 23 and 29.

"During the last assembly elections, there was post-poll violence. The decision is also based on past incidents," an official explained.

In addition to the extended deployment, 200 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) will remain stationed in the state to secure electronic voting machines (EVMs), strong rooms, and counting centres until the completion of the counting process, the EC said.

One company comprises 90 to 125 personnel.

The poll authority has handed over the probe into the gherao of judicial officers adjudicating cases of Special Intensive Revision in Malda to the NIA.

The NIA team, led by IG Sonia Singh, arrived in Mothabari, Malda on Friday.

The Supreme Court on Thursday criticised the West Bengal administration for its "complete failure" and inaction over the "deplorable" gherao and attack on seven judicial officers during the electoral rolls revision exercise. The court directed a CBI or NIA probe and called for the deployment of central forces.

"...In this regard, I am directed to request that the necessary inquiry/investigation into the matter be conducted, and a preliminary inquiry report be submitted directly to the Hon'ble court as per the above directions," the EC told the NIA DG in a letter.

The Commission’s decision of extended deployment came amid continued scrutiny of law enforcement preparedness in the state.

On March 10, the EC had asked the West Bengal government to furnish a list of police officers, including station house officers and their senior officials, who were on duty during the 2021 post-poll violence.

A full bench of the Commission held a meeting with the chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP), seeking detailed inputs, including whether any departmental action had been initiated against officers accused of misconduct.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and other members had also sought comprehensive reports from the DGP on the issue.

Violence had erupted in parts of West Bengal following the 2021 Assembly election, which saw the Trinamool Congress return to power for a third consecutive term.

Within 24 hours of the results, at least a dozen people were reported dead in post-poll clashes, with the toll believed to be higher than the casualties recorded during the month-long election process.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had appealed for calm, blaming the BJP for the violence, while the BJP alleged widespread attacks on its workers and properties, claiming that at least six of its workers were killed and several homes and offices vandalised or set on fire.

According a NDTV report, the Trinamool stated that five of its supporters were killed, including three in East Burdwan and one in Hooghly, while a worker of the Indian Secular Front, allied with the Left and Congress under the Samyukta Morcha, was also killed in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas.

The Union home ministry had sought a report from the state, and then Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar held meetings with political leaders, calling for accountability from the administration.