With West Bengal Police virtually withdrawn in troubled areas in West Midnapore and adjoining districts, the Centre on Wednesday asked the state government to deploy all its forces there while assuring it of providing more central forces if it is necessary.
The Home Ministry has advised the state administration to deploy its own forces in full strength as "maintaining law
and order is primarily the responsibility of the state government", a Ministry official said.
"The central paramilitary forces have been sent only to assist the state police," the official said.
The Centre also advised the West Bengal government to deploy the East Frontier Rifles, Special Armed Police and the
regular armed police to deal with the situation arising out of Maoists and tribals virtually taking over some of the villages like Lalgarh. Three CPI(M) workers were also shot dead in Banksole in West Midnapore district today.
Around 1,300 central paramilitary forces have already been deployed in the troubled areas while 300 more are on their
way.
"We have kept ready some more central forces to be sent to West Bengal if necessary," the official said. Of the 1,300 deployed forces, 700 have been deployed in West Midnapore district, 300 in Purulia and 100 in Bankora.
{{/usCountry}}"We have kept ready some more central forces to be sent to West Bengal if necessary," the official said. Of the 1,300 deployed forces, 700 have been deployed in West Midnapore district, 300 in Purulia and 100 in Bankora.
{{/usCountry}}200 additional forces reached West Bengal on Tuesday and 300 more will be reaching today.