Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered central forces to stay in Bengal for 10 more days after the completion of the rural poll process to bring the law and order under control.

The State Election Commission will declare when the election process is complete.

“The state police miserably failed to control the violence. Moreover, it did not use the trained armed central forces that came from various states to control the situation,” Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam said, directing state authorities to send central forces to tense areas immediately.

Additional solicitor-general Ashok Chakrabarty filed a report on behalf of the IG BSF, appointed by the Centre to manage central forces. In the report, the IG BSF accused the state police of keeping the forces waiting for deployment.

“The allegation is true. Trained central forces were not sent to the disturbed areas,” the Chief Justice remarked. The counsel appearing for the SEC also admitted to it.

In his 80-page report, the IG BSF claimed several emails were sent to the state police for a list of disturbed areas, but no response came.

“At a time when the presiding officer, police and common people were being attacked, the police failed to take assistance of central forces. The purpose to bring the forces went in vain,” the Chief Justice said.

After hearing the counsels and going through the IG BSF’s report, the bench said central forces would stay in Bengal for 10 more days after election process ended.

The Chief Justice asked petitioners to file affidavits with details about grievances against the poll panel.