State sitting on proposal to buy explosive detection machine

Had the state government not been dilly-dallying for two years over a proposal to buy a state-of-the-art explosive detection machine...

Had the state government not been dilly-dallying for two years over a proposal to buy a state-of-the-art explosive detection machine, the explosion at Salboni targeting Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee8217;s convoy could have been averted, say experts.

A proposal to the state home department, to procure ground-probing radars, was made by the then additional director general of police, Rajat Majumdar.

This machine can detect improvised explosive devices burried upto four feet in the ground. The metal detectors that the West Bengal police use now can identify IEDs planted upto not more than 3 inches.

8220;Hand held metal detectors that the state police use now are of no use in case of IEDs planted deep into the ground. The detectors cannot detect explosives burried more than 3 inches deep,8221; said Majumdar.

Majumdar, who had been associated with counter Maoist movements for a long time, claimed that he had given a proposal to the state home department to procure the ground-probing radars.

8220;These machines can detect IEDs and explosives burried upto 4 feet. They can be mounted on vehicles and roads can be checked just before a VIP or police patrol traverses through,8221; Majumdar said.

The soil in the West Midnapore region, where the Maoists are very active, are high in ferrous content. This often gives faulty indications to metal detectors.

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Majumdar claimed that the ground-probing radar could have also negated this hindrance. 8220;The machine could have helped avert Sunday8217;s explosion,8221; Majumdar said.

Two years ago, a demonstration of the Rs 40 lakh machine, was given in front of the then chief secretary Prasad Ranjan Roy at the Alipur Police Line Ground. 8220;A formal proposal to procure the machines was made to the home department. But for some unknown reason these machines were not bought,8221; said Majumdar. The state police department preferred to stay with the old hand held metal detectors.

According to sources, the machines were not procured due to the high price. 8220;The state government delayed the decision as the experts thought that the machines were very costly,8221; said the source. Prasad Ranjan Ray was, however, not available for any comment.

Home Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakrabarti did not want to comment on the issue. ADG modernisation, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, said that he was not aware of any such proposal. 8220;Actually I have joined recently. I will have to look into the old files,8221; said Chatterjee.