The Election Commission (EC) has issued a notice to West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee for her alleged statements against central armed police forces deputed on election duty in the state.

The notice issued on Thursday night said Banerjee prima facie violated various sections of the Indian Penal Code with her remarks against the central forces.

The chief minister has been asked to respond to the notice by 11 am on Saturday.

The EC said prima facie, the completely false, provocative and intemperate statements by Banerjee attempted to berate and vilify central paramilitary forces during the electoral process.

Mamata on Thursday apprehended that a section of central paramilitary forces may visit villages to intimidate people and asked voters to be on guard.

While addressing a public meeting at Balagarh in Hooghly district, Mamata had alleged central forces were working on instructions of the "Union Home Ministry run by Amit Shah."

"I have respect for the central paramilitary forces but they are working on instructions from Delhi. They are committing atrocities on villagers before polling day, some of them are even harassing women. They are asking people to vote for BJP. We will not allow this to continue," the TMC chief said.

The TMC supremo also called upon the state police force 'to keep vigil and not to bow their heads before Delhi.'

"Your job is to ensure free and fair polls, please be stern with trouble makers and keep your integrity intact," she had said.

Asking villagers to lodge FIRs at local police station in case of any excess committed by central forces, the chief minister had said, "If the police station refuses to accept the FIRs, inform us".