GRP, cops differ on terror

Statesman News Service

MALDA, July 10: How seriously is the Malda Railway Station under threat from terrorist and militant organisations? Contrasting statements from senior GRP and state police officials on the issue today has served to increase the common man's apprehension level.As a follow up to recent Intelligence inputs regarding security threat to the Malda Railway Station, the IG, GRP Mr AK Sarkar visited the station today and held a meeting with the security personnel. He later told the media that Intelligence agencies have intimated the GRP that besides the Maoists and the KLO, the Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami, Bangladesh's main terrorist group, have plans to blow up the Malda Railway Station, which is an important one in the bordering district with Bangladesh. "Under the circumstances, security and joint patrolling between the GRP and RPF would be intensified round the clock in and around Malda station," the IG, GRP, said. If the IGP, GRP's comments suggest that his trip had been organised to take stock of the security measure in and around the Malda Railway Station to foil an extremely sinister plot, the Malda SP, speaking on the same subject today almost downplayed the matter. "The IG Rail police Mr AK Sarkar's visit to Malda Town Station today was simply a routine visit. Do not try to relate the visit with potential security threat to the Railway station," the Malda SP Mr DK Mondal told media persons, adding to the confusion.Caught between the contrasting statements issued by two top police officials, Malda residents are a confused lot. The beefed up security at the station, a close watch on the passengers and their belongings at the Malda Town Station by the security men have all added to the confusion. Add to that the Intelligence input that a group of men from Kashmir and Bangladesh and linkmen to militant groups like the Maoists and the KLO may have taken shelter in the region and the picture of apprehension level among the people is complete.