West Bengal says no to 400 more central troops for riot-hit areas

New Delhi: The West Bengal government has said it does not need an additional 400 central troops for deployment in the riot-hit areas of North 24-Parganas district, according to a Union home ministry spokesperson.

"We have sent eight companies of paramilitary forces (comprising 100 personnel each) to West Bengal for deployment in the communal violence-affected areas.

However, the West Bengal government has conveyed that it does not require four of the eight companies," the spokesperson said here today.

The state government has not cited any reason for its decision.

The state's refusal came in the wake of an unprecedented public spat between Governor K N Tripathi and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, triggered by a telephonic conversation between the two on the communal violence.

Communal clashes broke out in Baduria in Basirhat sub- division of the district on Monday following an objectionable Facebook post.

The situation in the violence-hit areas was returning to normalcy with no fresh incidents of violence, a senior official said today.