The Centre and Mamata Banerjee government are yet again on a collision course over deployment of Central paramilitary forces in the Jangalmahal area.
The Central government has asked for withdrawal of 35 companies of Central paramilitary forces from the forested areas of Purulia, Bankura, West Midnapore and Jhargram districts – together known as the Jangalmahal – due to the Lok Sabha polls. However, the Bengal government has objected to this step.
The state government is arguing that the Jangalmahal area has been peaceful for the past few years due to the presence of the Central forces, but there is the possibility of the Maoists striking again if there is lack of vigilance in the region. Moreover, the state feels that the Maoists – who have retreated into the forested areas of the neighbouring state Jharkhand as well as in Chhattisgarh – may take advantage of the absence of Central forces and come back into West Bengal all over again.
“They have been trying to regroup in the region, and this is a crucial time when there should be absolutely no lapse in vigilance,” said an officer.
An earlier appeal from the West Bengal government was turned down by the Centre, but the state authorities have written about the appeal all over again.
For the Centre too the situation is tricky, because there is need to arrange for a huge number of Central forces jawans for deployment in the elections. The Lok Sabha polls are taking place in seven phases starting from April 11 and continuing right up to May 19. Counting takes place on May 23.
As such, there is requirement of huge number of paramilitary forces jawans that need to be constantly on the move from one part of the country to another. It is also tough to work out a solution given that Maoist areas in several other states in the country too require constant vigilance. It is also important to have adequate deployment of forces in some areas in Kashmir especially in the post-Pulwama situation.
[Cover photo representational]
