Lalgarh CPM leaders queue up for security cover

West Midnapore CPIM district secretary Dipak Sarkar moves around with two gunmen, armed with automatic weapons. 8220;Are you suggesting that we commit suicide by moving without security cover?8221; said a miffed Sarkar when asked about his security cover. He added: 8220;Our leaders are being attacked; the zonal committee secretary has been attacked thrice.8221;

The district magistrate of West Midnapore, N S Nigam, said the administration takes requests for security by the elected representatives very seriously. 8220;I am not sure about the exact number of people who have been provided with armed guards, but it should be well over 100. We want to provide security to everyone, but that may not be possible,8221; said Nigam.

However, Superintendent of Police, West Midnapore, Rajesh Singh, seemed annoyed when asked about the security being provided to CPIM leaders. 8220;I will not discuss security and intelligence with you,8221; he told this reporter.

The CPIM sources said it was not possible for party leaders to depend entirely on the police for security. There are 10 zonal committees and 20 local committees in the troubled area. And there are more than 200 leaders who need security cover.