Kolkata: The crime graph in West Bengal has risen slightly this year compared to 2008, but law and order in the state was still better than Delhi and other states, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee claimed on Monday.
Citing the National Crime Records Bureau, he told the Assembly that the crime rate had slightly gone up in West Bengal this year compared to the previous year.
On the opposition's allegation that law and order in the state was on the decline in recent times, Bhattacharjee claimed that compared to Delhi and other states, it was still better.
Intervening in a debate on a non-official resolution, he reiterated his charge that the Trinamool Congress had secret links with Maoists in West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura districts.
Bhattacharjee urged all political parties to assist in the government's efforts to restore peace in the three districts hit by Naxal violence.
Maoists were escaping to Jharkhand after carrying out attacks in the state, he added.
PTI
First Published: Monday, December 21, 2009, 20:14