The Central Reserve Police Force, deployed at conflict-ridden Nandigram [Images] in East Midnapore district on November 12 for restoration of peace, would remain there, the West Bengal government said on Monday, a day after Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi favoured continuance of the central force there.

Chief Secretary A K Deb, however, did not specify how long the central paramilitary force would remain in Nandigram.

Deb was replying to a question on the statement of the Governor who, during his visit to Nandigram on Monday, had expressed himself in favour of the continuance of the CRPF for some more time.

The Governor had visited Nandigram on Sunday to assess the situation after CPI-M's 'recapture' of the area and said that wrong-doers must not be exonerated and the CRPF should continue there for some more time.

State Home Secretary P R Roy also said that neither had the state government received any indication from the Centre about the duration of the CRPF's stay in Nandigram nor did the Governor intimate the state government in this regard.