Wednesday, May 3 2006 09:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As violence did not show signs of ebbing in Vadodara, the Centre today (May 3, 2006) dispatched five companies of 500 personnel belonging to paramilitary forces to assist the Gujarat police in containing the situation.

"Five companies of CRPF, including four of the Rapid Action Force, have been sent to Vadodara. While two RAF companies (of 200 personnel) have already reached there, the remaining would be deployed soon in and around the city," a Home Ministry official told sources here.

"The Special Secretary is in constant touch with the state administration and is reviewing the situation at regular intervals. The Centre has offered all possible assistance to the state government to deal with the situation," he said.

A Home Ministry spokesman said "Home Minister ShivrajPatil has spoken to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi over telephone and asked him to make all efforts to bring the situation in Vadodara under control."

Union Home Secretary V K Duggal also spoke to the Gujarat Chief Secretary and the state DGP and assured all help in the form of additional forces, the spokesman added.

Six persons have been killed in clashes in Vadodara which witnessed two days of violence following the demolition of a dargah.