Mamata accuses Centre of lack of cooperation

Criticising the central government for "non-cooperation" with the state, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that timely deployment of the central reserve forces in the hills could have prevented the crisis in Darjeeling.

"The central government has been on a non-cooperation mode with the state and some of the central agencies are interfering, which is against the federal structure.

"There is a conspiracy to disturb Bengal and the international borders of the state. We have several times requested for the deployment of the central forces. Had they been deployed timely, the current situation could have been avoided," the Chief Minister told the media at the state secretariat Nabanna.

Banerjee said foreign forces close to the Bharatiya Janata Party had a hand in the pro-Gorkhaland agitation.

"Some of the foreign forces which have good relations with the BJP have indulged in the agitation in Darjeeling."

She alleged that the trouble in Darjeeling was "pre-planned" and "planted".

Banerjee appealed for restoration of peace in Darjeeling and said the state government was open to dialogue.

--IANS

bdc/ssp/py/bg