NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has allowed Central government to withdraw seven of the 15 companies of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) stationed in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal. The Centre had appealed for withdrawal of forces, so they can be stationed in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat for election duties. The Supreme Court asked West Bengal government to file its reply within a week.
Centre's plea came against Calcutta High Court's order directing it to allow all 15 companies of the forces to remain in the state. The matter will now be heard in court on November 27. Withdrawal of CAPF from the controversial region of Darjeeling till October 27, had been stayed by the HC, after the Mamta Banerjee government approached it against the Centre's decision. Additional four companies of the CAPF were deployed in the region after the High Court had ordered the Centre on July 14 to deploy forces in addition to the 11 that were already present in the hills.
The West Bengal government had written to the Centre seeking an extended deployment of CAPF till December 25. It was told that of the 15 companies present, 10 would be withdrawn on October 15 and the rest by October 20.
