Kolkata, May 17: As West Bengal gears up for the third phase of panchayat polls to be held on Sunday, the State Government has tightened security throughout North Bengal.

The polling will be held in seven districts of Coochbehar, Jalpaiguri, North and South Dinajpur, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Malda.

Unprecedented security measures have been taken by the State Government in the areas situated near the Bangladesh border .The India Bangladesh border will be sealed from tonight to prevent any criminal element from sneaking into the Indian side. Additional forces have been placed along the barbed wire fencing to ensure peaceful elections.

Two companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed at Birbhum, Murshidabad and Coochbehar while one company has been deployed at Jalpaiguri and North and South Dinajpur districts.

The State Government will also deploy State Armed Police, Rapid Action Force and Indian Reserve Battalion.

The polling parties are arriving in the interior of Maldah and Murshidabad. People commuting across the border are being thoroughly frisked and vehicles are being checked for any suspected object.

The first phase of panchayat polls held on May 11 was generally peaceful but four persons were killed and at least 15 injured in separate incidents of violence on May 14 during the second phase of panchayat polls. (ANI)