The West Bengal government has turned down Centre’s proposal to deploy Central forces to bring the situation in Raniganj under control.

Last night, Union minister and BJP MP from Asansol Babul Supriyo called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and complained that the state government was incapable of handling the grim situation in Asansol.

The Union home ministry officials in turn called up Chief Secretary Moloy De and Home Secretary Atri Bhattacharya to inquire about the entire matter.

The ministry sought a report from the state government on incidents of arson and violence during Ram Navami processions in the last two days and informed that the Centre was ready to send paramillitary forces to bring the situation under control.

The state secretariat has straightaway turned down the Centre’s proposal and informed the latter that the state government was alone capable of handling the situation. The senior officials of Nabanna reportedly informed the Centre that the state forces were adequate to bring the situation under control and restore peace in Raniganj.

With fresh tension erupting in the area after a police personnel was injured, the state government has sent a team from Kolkata headed by additional CP Vineet Goyal and IG traffic, North Bengal, Javed Shamim along with a special force, trained to handle similar situations. Three platoons of force from Kolkata Police have been sent to Raniganj to ensure peace in the troubled areas, said police.

Meanwhile, state parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee said that the picture of the state portrayed by Babul Supriyo is not correct. Babul is spreading such things for his own political gains, Mr Chatterjee said.

“The Centre is unnecessarily trying to send forces. There is no need for any Central forces. State police are competent enough and had tackled many difficult situations in the past and the state administration will take necessary action to ensure peace in the area,” Mr Chatterjee said.

Mr Chatterjee accused the BJP of formenting unrest in the state by using the name of Ram and said that arms should not have been carried during the processions. BJP is trying to come to the limelight by creating riot in the state, he alleged, adding that they are deliberately trying to violate the law and order.

Responding to state BJP president Dilip Ghosh’s allegation that workers were provoked by the police, Mr Chatterjee said that action has to be taken for violation of the law and questioned whether it was provocation if police took action for carrying arms.

On Mr Ghosh’s allegation that chief minister Mamata Banerjee had gone to Delhi when there was trouble in Bengal, Mr Chatterjee said that latter was working for people’s interest and is always beside people for the agony caused by BJP.

District magistrate of Burdwan West , Mr. Shasank Shetty has directed all mobile services providers to stop internet services in six police station areas of Asansol Durgapur Police Comissionerate till 30 March.

The matter has been informed to Nabanna already. This has been done to stop passing of informations and photographs through social media in Asansol and Raniganj, sources said.