Eastern Command refutes Mamata Banerjee's allegations, says Army conducting routine exercise in West Bengal

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Centre of creating a situation 'worse than Emergency'.

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Delhi: Hours after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Centre of creating a situation 'worse than Emergency', Northern Command said on Monday evening that contrary to speculation, Army taking over toll plaza in Kolkata was incorrect.

The Army tweeted saying: 

"Army conducting routine exercise with full knowledge and coordination with West Bengal Police. Speculation of Army taking over toll plaza incorrect."

Army conducting routine exercise with full knowledge & coord with WB Police. Speculation of army taking over toll plaza incorrect @adgpi — EasternCommand_IA (@easterncomd) December 1, 2016

Mamata had accused the Centre of deploying Army personnel at two toll plazas on a national highway without informing her government.

Talking to reporters at the state secretariat, she had alleged that Army was deployed at two toll plazas at Palsit and Dankuni on NH 2.

"It is an attack on the federal structure. We want to know the details. The chief secretary is writing to the Centre. Given an opportunity I will talk to the President on the issue. Has Emergency been imposed in the country without declaration?" she had asked.

"I don't know what has actually happened. Even if there is mock-trial, state government is informed," she had said.

At the same time, in a series of tweets Mamata wrote:

Very unfortunate. Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal State Secretariat in a high security zone, inspite of Police objection 1/2 — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016

... I am waiting here at the Secretariat and watching, to guard our democracy 2/2 — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016

Until and unless the Army stationed in front of Nabanno, the Bengal state govt secretariat, is withdrawn 1/2 — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016

... I will be staying at my Secretariat to guard our democracy 2/2 — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016

Later responding to Army's clarification she tweeted:

Absolutely wrong and misleading facts by @easterncomd We have great respect for you, but please please don't mislead the people — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016

More army deployment in diff Bengal districts Jalpaiguri,Alipurduar, Darjeeling,Barrackpur, N24Pgs, Howrah,Hooghly,Kol,Murshidabad Burdwan — Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 1, 2016

Earlier, responding to TMC leader's claims, a defence spokesperson had said that Army conducts bi-annual exercise throughout the country to get statistical data about the load carriers that could be made available to the force in case of a contingency.

"There is nothing alarming about this and it is carried out as per government orders," Wing Commander SS Birdi had said, as per PTI.

The exercise gives an estimate about the number of vehicles passing through a certain area that could be tapped during operations, he had added.

(With Agency inputs)