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Security stepped up for Buddhadeb’s visit to Paschim Medinipur district

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee

KOLKATA: Keeping in view the threat posed by the Maoists during Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee’s two-day visit to West Bengal’s Paschim Medinipur district beginning Saturday, stringent security measures have been taken by the district police to ensure his safety.

Security has been heightened keeping in mind the landmine blast targeting Mr. Bhattacharjee’s convoy by the Maoists on November 2, 2008, while he was returning from Salboni in the district

State Police Inspector-General (Law and Order), Surajit Kar Purakayastha, told The Hindu on Friday that “best possible security precautions” have been taken for the Chief Minister’s visit.

Though the details of the security arrangement were not divulged by Mr. Kar Purakayastha, he said: “We are taking adequate measures for the Chief Minister’s impending visit. Advanced security checks are being conducted on random vehicles as well as persons. A thorough security cover will be in place.”

According to police sources, more than 1,000 police personnel have been deployed at several spots, starting from Debra (35 km from Midnapore town), where Mr. Bhattacharjee is scheduled to address a public rally, to Midnapore town.

Several tiller machines have been pressed into service by the bomb squad to check for presence of any landmine on the routes through which Mr. Bhattacharjee’s convoy will pass. Security has also been stepped up at the circuit house in the Midnapore where he will be staying.

Meanwhile, the Bankura district police recovered sophisticated firearms and huge amount of explosives from two suspected Maoists late on Thursday. Though both men managed to flee, the police suspect that the arms and ammunitions were on their way to Paschim Medinipur where the Chief Minister will be going on Saturday.

Vishal Garg, Police Superintendent of Bankura district, told The Hindu over phone that two motorcycle-borne persons, on being chased by the security personnel in the Sarenga region, fled leaving the bike and a bag behind.

“Two rocket launchers, two sophisticated revolvers and 12 kg of explosives have been found inside the bag. The explosives have been sent to experts to ascertain their nature,” Mr. Garg said.

Pointing out that the police are hopeful of nabbing the duo, who are suspected of having Maoist link, on the basis of the number plate of the seized motorcycle, he said security forces have been put on alert along the Bankura-Paschim Medinipur border.

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