The investigation wing of the Income Tax (IT) Department today said the deployment of CRPF personnel during searches is as per the law, which West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has termed as "unconstitutional and illegal".
"The number of search operations being carried out now have increased manifold and this is why we are taking help of CRPF personnel," a senior official of the IT investigation wing told PTI here.
To a query, he said the investigation wing was also getting cooperation of West Bengal Police.
"As per law, we are authorised to seek the help of paramilitary forces, Customs, PSU banks and CISF personnel during search operations," the official said.
"This is nothing new and we are doing it everytime.
"It is well known that we are carrying out such action day-in and day-out. So it is necessary to take the help of other central agencies besides the state police," he said.
Mamata Banerjee today objected to the Centre's move to deploy CRPF personnel for providing security to Income Tax officials during search operations in the state and has also shot off a letter to Home Minister Rajnath Singh demanding withdrawal of the decision.
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