Malda under security blanket for CM visit

8220;We cannot afford to take any chances with the chief minister8217;s security. This is his first visit to a district after the landmine blast, which targeted his convoy, in Salboni. We have deployed all available forces for round-the-clock security,8221; said Malda district Superintendent of Police Satyajit Bandopadhyay.

According to state police sources, recently a high-level meeting took place among the senior officers to discuss the security arrangements during the CM8217;s visit. It was decided that a number of special measures will be undertaken to provide foolproof security.

8220;This time, the district administration was not told about the date and timing of the visit until three days ago. Previously we used to be informed about these details 15 days ago,8221; said a highly placed officer-in-charge of the chief minister8217;s security.

There is a heavy security blanket in place over Malda town since Saturday morning. Barricades have been put up along the route of the CM8217;s convoy from the railway station to the Malda College Maidan where he will address a convention and at the Circuit House where he will spend the night.

The police have dug up the venue of the conference from early morning using tractors to detect possible landmine wires, apart from scanning the entire area and surroundings with mine detectors. Seven tractors were brought in by the district police, which were used to dig up the field.

Apart from the venue, metal detectors have been placed at the circuit house with restrictions on the movement of people 8212; even government officials. The circuit house was out of bounds for even middle-ranking district police officers since the last two days. Apart from a contingent of policemen, and the chief minister8217;s special guards, officers of the Kolkata Police and CID have also been pressed into action.