Security of Junglemahal MLAs, leaders enhanced

20 October 2011

biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 20 OCT: As Maoists have threatened Trinamul Congress leaders over the demand of withdrawal of security forces from Junglemahal, a cautious district administration has strengthened security of all MLAs and  senior political leaders in the Maoist-hit areas.
The administration has decided to provide four security personnel each to all four Trinamul MLAs from the area. Earlier, two security persons used to guard an MLA from the area. The administration will also provide security cover to an MLA whenever he or she visits areas in Junglemahal. Other political leaders, who are on Maoists' hit-list, too, will be provided security, a senior police officer said. The Trinamul Congress West Midnapore district president has already been provided two security persons. Trinamul MLA Mr Mrigen Maity said: “Two days ago, the district police have increased the number of security personnel from two to four following Maoist threat."
Sources in Central Intelligence agencies said Maoists have prepared a list of 22 Trinamul leaders who would be attacked. Four Trinamul Congress MLAs are at the top of the list. According to Intelligence inputs, the hit-list was prepared last week at a meeting in the jungles of Jharkhand. The meeting was attended by over 500 senior Maoist leaders. The Intelligence report suggested that the hit-list was prepared after chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee failed to show her willingness to withdraw security forces from Junglemahal and release of jailed Maoists which she had promised before the Assembly poll.
Admitting the security enhancement following the Maoist threat, Mr Sukumar Hansda,  Trinamul Congress MLA from Jhargram and Paschimanchal Unnayan affairs minister, said: “I cannot move elsewhere in Junglemahal freely because of threats from Maoists. It is important for me to visit the areas to assess development works. Realising the situation, the administration has enhanced my security cover.” Sitting in his heavily guarded home in Jhargram town, Mr Hansda said: "Junglemahal have been suffering from lack of development for the past 35 years, but I am unable to carry out development works here out of fear and threats.”
Trinamul’s Gopiballavpur MLA Mr Churamani Mahato, who admits that sometimes even he cannot go to his own home because of Maoist threat, said the state government is committed to improve the situation in Junglmahal, but Maoists are hindering development works. Police officers in West Midnapore admitted that the Maoist threat has to be taken seriously and the security of the MLAs and minister could not be compromised.

Gelatin sticks seized
A total of 37 gelatin sticks was seized from the Burisole forest near Kantapahari in Lalgarh of West Midnapore today. Security forces found the gelatin sticks kept in a bag inside a bush. Later, bomb squad personnel reached the spot and examined the sticks.