Security tightened for I-Day

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 13 AUG: The Malda superintendent of police today held a meeting with senior police officers to sensitise them for tightening security on the eve of Independence Day.

“We have decided to keep strict vigilance in the sensitive areas based on an intelligence report in the wake of the recovery of powerful improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from Kaliachak area, close to the Bangladesh border,” the Malda SP, Mr Satyajit Bandyopadhyay, said. It may be noted that police are in darkness about the source of the IEDs assembled in Kaliachak area having failed to arrest the alleged kingpin, Mr Jahangir Momin.

Though police arrested two persons, engaged as carriers to deliver the IEDs, they have failed to gather detailed information about the origins of the weapons after interrogating them. Police suspect there are more such IEDs assembled in different areas but they have failed to locate the points from which a recovery could be made.

“We are trying hard to nab the main culprit, Mr Momin, who appointed two persons as suppliers to his consumer,” said Mr Bandyopadhyay. Mr Bandyopadhayay admitted that Mr Momin, who was under the shelter of an LF leader of Kaliachak (Mr Nikhil Dutta, RSP leader), is still in a nearby hide-out.

Police contacted the leader and pressed him to provide information about the hide-out of the culprit.

Police got information that the wife and father of Mr Momin contacted the leader and sought suggestions from him after a police raid at his home. Police recovered the three IEDs from the house of Mr Momin.

Pre-Independence Day security has also been stepped up in Sikkim, Mr. N. Sridhar Rao, DIG Range, said here today. The checking of vehicles at key entry points in Rangpo and Melli and patrolling in bazaar areas, guest houses and hotels across the state had been intensified since last week, informed Mr. Rao.

A strict watch is being kept to thwart any anti-social elements. The panchayats at the village levels have also been asked to keep a tab on new faces or any unclaimed baggage and articles at public places. At specific venues of the celebrations, particularly the Paljor Stadium in the capital and its VIP areas, are under round-the-clock vigil, informed Mr. Rao. Keeping in view national security, the Central and state intelligence agencies have been alerted, he said.

Security arrangements have also been tightened at crowded places including markets and terminuses.