The Centre on Monday conveyed its willingness before the Supreme Court to spare more paramilitary forces for West Bengal to counter frequent blockades orchestrated by pro and anti-Gorkhaland agitators on National Highway 31A, the economic lifeline and sole domestic link to Sikkim.



For this, government counsel Wasim Ahmed Qadri said the Centre was willing to overcome the aspect that law and order is a state subject. But he also pointed out that it was ultimately the job of West Bengal to negotiate with agitating leaders.



“We have already provided three companies of the CRPF and are willing to provide additional forces, if required. But since law and order is a state subject, the problem can be taken up adequately only by the state of West Bengal by persuading the heads of the agitating groups,” Qadri said.



A three-judge Bench of Justices Altmas Kabir, Mukundakam Sharma and A K Patnaik later adjourned the matter for further hearing to July 19.