Darjeeling row: Paramilitary forces no substitute for state police, says MHA

New Delhi: Amid a tussle with the West Bengal government over the deployment of forces in Darjeeling, the Union home ministry has told state governments that paramilitary forces cannot substitute state police and should be deployed only in emergencies.

In a communication to all states, the ministry also asked all state governments to set up a committee for examining requirements of central armed police forces (CAPF) by keeping in view the internal security, intelligence inputs and availability of central forces in nearby locations.

It said the Centre has formulated standard operating procedures for deployment of CAPFs and according to it, the central forces would be able to meet more pressing commitments like guarding borders, fighting insurgency, anti-national operations and in related situations which need immediate mobilisation of forces.

“CAPF’s can’t substitute the state police force as their deployment is related to emergency crisis,” the communication said.

The home ministry's missive came after the West Bengal government moved the Calcutta HC and got a stay against the Centre’s move to withdraw 700 CAPF personnel from Darjeeling, where an agitation demanding a separate state is on.

West Bengal Chief Minister even spoke to Union home minister Rajnath Singh and is said to have protested the Centre’s move.