Calcutta, Dec. 3: The government today made it clear that the Central Reserve Police Force would stay in Nandigram for the time being.

“There is no question of withdrawing the CRPF,” chief secretary Amit Kiran Deb said at Writers’ Buildings this afternoon.

CPM supporters told governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi yesterday that they wanted the CRPF to leave the troubled zone. They blocked his way to Nandigram near Tekhali bridge and shouted “CRPF hatao”.

“Ora to aapnader bhalor jonnei achhe (They are here for your good),” Gandhi said and went on to add later: “The people have gained confidence after the CRPF deployment and they (the force) will remain.”

Today, transport minister Subhas Chakraborty, too, harped on the necessity of CRPF presence to ensure peace. “A peace process has begun and the CRPF presence is required at this point.”

Six companies of CRPF personnel have been deployed in Nandigram.

Home secretary Prasad Ranjan Ray said: “They will continue to be there since over a hundred people are still out of their homes.”