New Delhi, Feb. 27 -- Even before the Assembly elections are formally announced, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday deployed 240 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal, with politically volatile Purba Medinipur district witnessing the heaviest deployment of 14 companies, officials familiar with the matter said. The early deployment of CAPF, officials said, comes amid judicial scrutiny of the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the eastern state. Although the Supreme Court, in its recent order, did not direct CAPF deployment, it stressed the need for strict compliance, adequate law-and-order support and unhindered continuation of the exercise. The top court issued binding directions to the police and administration to assist judicial officers. ECI is likely to publish the final electoral roll of West Bengal on February 28, and the early CAPF deployment is seen as the poll panel's measure to maintain law and order after the publication of the voter list. "The 240 companies constitute only the first batch, with a second tranche expected soon. In 2021, more than 1,000 CAPF companies were deployed across eight phases, making it one of the largest central force mobilisations in any state election," a senior EC official said, requesting anonymity. Meanwhile, ECI-appointed central nodal officers (CEOs) have also begun assuming charge in the state, which is likely to go to polls in April-May this year. Besides Purba Medinipur, both Kolkata and Malda districts saw deployment of 12 companies each, followed by Dakshin Dinajpur with 10 companies. Cooch Behar and Barrackpore have been allotted nine companies each, while Murshidabad, Jangipur, Chandannagar, Howrah Rural and Purba Bardhaman got eight each....