Bengal reiterates demand for Army deployment in Darjeeling

Kolkata, Feb 10 (PTI) The West Bengal government todaymade a fresh appeal to the Centre for Army deployment in thetrouble-torn Darjeeling hills, saying the force would instillconfidence among the people there.

"It will be good if the Centre sends the Army. It willbe used for holding flag marches to instill confidence amongthe people," Home Secretary G D Gautama told newsmen.

To a question, he said the Centre had not yet sought anyreport on Tuesday''s violence that left two Gorkha JanmuktiMorcha activists dead and several others, alongwith somepolicemen, injured.

Gautama said the state government would not accept anydiversion of the central paramilitary forces from theMaoist-hit Jangalmahal to Darjeeling.

"We will raise objections if this is done. We haveobjected to this earlier also. Yesterday, I wrote (to theUnion Home Ministry) requesting replenishment of centralforces which have been moved from Jangalmahal to Darjeeling,"the Home Secretary said.