Once bitten, twice shy

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Nov. 12: With the failure of the state's security establishment to detect a landmine set off by Maoists in the chief minister Mr Buddhadeb Bhattacharya's convoy in Salboni still fresh on its mind, the state administration has decided to dispatch advance special security teams to Malda ahead of the CM's visit here.One group of the advance security officials is already here and has begun making preliminary arrangements prior to the visit. Once the second team arrives tomorrow, the security personnel will work in tandem with the district police before putting into place the security paraphernalia for Mr Bhattacharya's visit, scheduled to be held here on 15 and 16 November.According to sources, the special security teams will also guide the district police to put in place fool-proof security arrangements. Sources said that the offices of the District Magistrate and Superintendents of Police received confirmation of the arrival of the teams this afternoon.The town and its adjoining areas is already under a security umbrella. This time around, it is evident that those in charge of Mr Bhattacharya's security are not taking any chances. There was a visible presence of policemen across the town and vehicles were searched at random in the evening. Special surveillance apparatuses is also likely to be used to monitor not just the route the CM's convoy will follow in Malda, but also the venues where he will address gatherings. As an added precaution, the district administration, acting on instructions from Kolkata, will not make public Mr Bhattacharya's schedule in advance.The DM, Mr Sridhar K. Ghosh was only willing to say that Mr Bhattacharya will attend WEBCUTA's state conference on the afternoon of 15 November and lay the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the University of Gour Banga on the morning of 16 November in English Bazar.