Although the Centre has turned down the request for deployment of Army in Darjeeling, the state government still feels the current situation there demanded Army deployment to restore confidence among the local people. The state government has also sought eight companies of the Central paramilitary forces exclusively for the Hills and its adjoining areas to maintain law and order.
“Yesterday, we had made a requisition for Army deployment in the Hills to the Union defence ministry. However, we were told that the Army was not available for some reasons. The Centre sent two companies of BSF,” state home secretary G.D. Gautama said.
On being asked whether the state government has withdrawn its requisition for Army, he replied: “We have not withdrawn the requisition. We feel it is still required and if the Centre sends the Army, we will readily accept it.”
ADG (law and order) Surajit Kar Purkaystha, however, reasoned that since the situation had improved on Wednesday, the state administration did not follow up on its requisition for Army with the Centre.
The state government on Wednesday also conveyed to the Centre that it would not redeploy any more Central paramilitary forces from Jangalmahal to Darjeeling. The Union ministry of home affairs had on Tuesday given permission to the state government for making such redeployment of the forces.
“We have already redeployed four companies of the Central paramilitary forces from Jangalmahal to the Hills around 10 days ago. Today, we have once again written to the Centre to send eight companies of the Central paramilitary forces for Darjeeling because we will have to send back these four companies to Jangalmahal,” the home secretary elaborated.