Jasahobanto Rakshit, an advocate residing in Hoogly had filed a PIL in 2009, seeking direction to the state to provide training to the police and security personnel in modern arms.

The lives of people were not safe when terrorist outfits are active in sensitive areas of Kolkata and West Bengal. Security should be topmost concern, the petition stated.

Advocate Subrato Mookherjee, Counsel of the petitioner, said when sub-inspectors and police constables are not equipped with modern weapons like AK-47 rifles and bullet-proof jackets, what measures the state was taking to protect the ordinary citizens?

Advocate Fazle Haq, Counsel of the state government, placed an affidavit prepared by Pranab Roy, assistant secretary of the state home department, but the Bench — comprising Chief Justice J N Patel and Justice Mrinal Kanti Chaudhuri — did not accept it.

Farook M Razzak, Additional Solicitor General of the Central government placed an report filed by RVS Mani, undersecretary of the Union Home ministry on the steps taken to combat the terror threat in the state.

The Centre, he said, assisted the state government to develop the police force to combat terrorists and Naxals. The Centre has released adequate funds to state government to procure modern weapons and communication systems since 2003-04. The state has also received Central support for police training and the development of forensic laboratories.