DHAKA: The Border Security Force (BSF) is keeping a strong vigil on the Indo-Bangla border to prevent any untoward incident in upcoming Indian general election (Lok Sabha polls) of 2014.

Earlier, the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for the 2014 Lok Sabha elections saying they will be held in nine phases from April 7, 2014 to May 12, 2014, report the Business Standard.

BSF Inspector General for the North Bengal Frontier, S. K. Sood, said they have tightened security along Indo-Bangladesh border and are in regular touch with both the police and security agencies for any information.

"We are not apprehended by any threat from Bangladesh. However, as it is pre-election period, the rate of personnel deployment will remain high till the elections are over. And, whatever surveillance equipments we have, will be used. We have a (good) rapport with the police, and we take action on intelligence reports received from the police or from intelligence agencies. More supervisory officers will be put on duty at the border to avoid any laxity," said Sood on Wednesday.

A total number of 14 battalions of the BSF will be keeping a vigil at the North Bengal Frontier during the elections, Sood revealed.

India shares approximately 4096 kilometers of border with Bangladesh, of which West Bengal has the most, amounting to around 2216 kilometers. The North Bengal Frontier has a border of 1070 kilometers with the country and has a number of porous areas.

The region has fencing along most part with the number of gaps in between. In the first phase of polling process, northern Bengal which includes constituencies of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar will vote on April 17.

In the second phase of voting, which is scheduled to begin on April 24, people from the constituencies of Raiganj, North and South Malda, Balurghat, Jangipur, Murshidabad of West Bengal state will go to vote.

BDST: 1220 HRS, MAR 28, 2014