New Delhi/Kolkata, June 17 The Left on Wednesday blamed the Trinamool Congress-Congress combine for the naxal attacks in West Bengal that claimed the lives of three Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders earlier today.

CPM politburo member Brinda Karat said: "The TMC-Congress combine is responsible for the violence that has broken out in West Bengal. The TMC is patronising the Maoists, while my party's cadres are being ruthlessly killed by the Maoists."

With the state government and TMC leader Mamata Banerjee soft-pedalling on the violence, Karat's reaction appeared justified.

The CPM government has rushed Central paramilitary forces to the troubled area. Five companies have been deployed. Two companies are stationed at Midnapore town and the remaining three in Burdwan district.

The forces are currently on stand by, but once they move in- the police will then step back and begin assisting the CRPF to end the violent clashes.

The Central forces have been given the go ahead to employ tougher measures to stop the violence.

Top officials of the administration, police and CRPF met in Kolkata today to chalk out a strategy to put an immediate end to the violence.

Chief Secretary of West Bengal Ashok Chakraborthy said, "We have deployed central paramilitary forces. The government will restore peace in Lalgarh." (ANI)