Chidambaram says West Bengal's law and order situation deteriorating fast

New Delhi, June 17 (ANI): Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Wednesday said the law and order situation in West Bengal is deteriorating fast because of the Maoists violence in that state's West Midnapore District.

Stating that the Centre has dispatched enough paramilitary forces to the troubled areas, he lashed out at the Left Front government in the state for not acting in a timely manner.

"We are getting an impression that a section of the government wants to act while the rest doesn't, fearing the consequences," he said.

Responding to Chidambaram statements, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri said he hoped the Centre would give assistance to people in the affected areas.

He also said the Central government should co-ordinate efforts, as India is facing its biggest internal threat from the Maoists.

Earlier in the day, the Home Ministry had advised the West Bengal administration to deploy its own forces in full strength as "maintaining law and order is primarily the responsibility of the state government".

"The Central paramilitary forces have been sent only to assist the state police," an official had said.

The Centre 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 areas like Lalgarh.

Chidambaram's stern warning came as three CPI(M) workers were also shot dead in Banksole in West Midnapore district this morning.

Around 1,300 central paramilitary forces have already deployed in the troubled areas while 300 more are on their way.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has reportedly told the ruling Left Front partners that 500 Maoists - 100 of them fully trained in combat and 400 others semi-trained - ad neaked into Lalgarh from Jharkhand. (ANI)