Absconding CPM men get security

4 April 2012

Intelligence report puts cops in dock
biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 4 APRIL: Some CPI-M leaders who are at large after being accused in various crimes in West Midnapore district are enjoying police security.
A report of the Union Intelligence agency which has revealed the fact has put the district administration in trouble. In a letter written on 30 March this year to the district superintendent of police, the Union intelligence agency has asked the district police whether the leaders who were given police security in the last financial year in West Midnapore need security this year.
According to intelligence agency report, 14 persons, including some CPI-M leaders, are enjoying police security for the past few years owing to the threat given by Maoists. Of the CPI-M leaders, Sheikh Khaliluddin, a CPI-M local committee member in Lalgarh who is wanted in the Netai carnage case, is enjoying police security while police have repeatedly informed the court that he was absconding.
On 7 January 2011, nine villagers were gunned down and 22 persons injured allegedly by the CPI-M armed cadres at Netai village. The CBI has accused 20 CPI-M leaders in connection with the case. Among the accused, six CPI-M leaders, including Khaliluddin, Anuj Pande, Chandi Karan, Phullara Mondol, Tapan Dey and Joydev Giri, are still at large.
Similarly, Anil Mahato, a CPI-M Banspahari local committee secretary who is also an accused in a murder case, is being provided police security. Police security is being given to Tarun Roy, a district secretariat member who is absconding after being accused in the Benachapra skeleton recovery case.
As Maoists had threatened Trinamul leaders over the demand of withdrawal of security forces from Junglemahal, a wary district administration had strengthened security of all MLAs and senior political leaders in the Maoist-hit areas last year.
The administration had decided to provide four security personnel each to all four Trinamul MLAs from the area. Earlier, two security personnel used to guard an MLA from the area.
The administration had also decided to provide security cover to an MLA whenever he/she visits areas in Junglemahal. Other political leaders on Maoist hit-list, too, were provided security. Sources in the Central Intelligence agencies said Maoists had prepared a list of 22 Trinamul leaders who would be attacked last year. Four Trinamul Congress MLAs were on top of the list. The hit-list was prepared at a meeting in the jungles of Jharkhand.
"But, after the death of the rebels’ top leader Kishenji, security provision to the leaders should be checked further and hence the letter was written to the district police,” sources close to the Union intelligence agency said.
Mr Sukumar Hansda, a Trinamul Congress MP from Jhargram, said: “How is it possible. I will talk to the district police and civil administration about it." Mr Praveen Tripathi, superintendent of police, was not available for comments.