The state government is mulling over deploying central forces in Nandigram. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee held an emergency meeting on the situation in Nandigram at Writers’ Buildings in Kolkata on Friday.

The meeting was attended by chief secretary Ashok Mohan Chakrabarti and senior officers of West Bengal Police, including DGP Sujit Kumar Sarkar, DG (Co-ordination) Bhupinder Singh, IG (Law and Order) Raj Kanojia.

During the meeting, the chief minister expressed his concern over the recent developments in Nandigram that has witnessed maximum violence since polling took place on May 7 between CPM and Trinamool Congress supporters.

“We appeal all to maintain peace and tranquility. The district magistrate and police superintendent of East Midnapore are holding an all-party meeting in Tamluk to find a solution to the Nandigram stalemate. If the problem is not solved and violence continues, we are thinking of deploying central forces to control the situation,” said Chakrabarti.

He said the government will leave no stone unturned to bring the situation under control. The DGP also said “there is no other alternative but to bring in central forces and deploy them in Nandigram and adjoining areas.”

According to sources, police camps will be set up again in Nandigram. The camps were lifted up just ahead of the elections, citing lack of manpower.

“We also discussed post-poll violence in Howrah, Domkol in Murshidabad and Banarhat in north Bengal. The last phase of elections is just round the corner. The chief minister directed us to see that elections are held peacefully, ” the chief secretary added.

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