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The security agencies responsible for her safety went through anxious moments as the Trinamool Congress chief walked for over 2 kms to reach the venue of the rally.
On Thursday, senior officials of the Union Home Ministry and West Bengal Home department had discussed in detail Banerjee’s security.
Considering the high threat perception, a number of special measures were undertaken for today’s rally, including the bullet-proof car for the minister.
But when the West Bengal Police sent the bullet-proof car to her Kalighat home, she refused to use it. The bullet-proof ambassador car though followed her all through her journey from Kolkata to Jhargram and back.
“She was requested to use the bullet-proof car but she refused to use it. What can we do? “ said a senior security personnel accompanying the minister. On her way to and back, Banerjee’s convoy passed through the jungles areas, including Lodhasuli and Kolaboni, which are high risk zones considering the area is strongholds of armed Maoists squad. Banerjee instead used her own white Scorpio. In her trademark style, she sat beside the driver, which according to security officers was another serious breach of security.
“We dissuaded her from sitting in the front beside the window. But our request was turned down,” a security officer stated. After reaching Jhargram PHE guesthouse, a defiant Banerjee walked to the venue and didn’t listen to the security officers at all.
Meanwhile, the district administration had made heavy security arrangements for her visit. Apart from posting armed security persons, personnel of CRPF and BSF along her route from Kharagpore to the venue, a company of elite CoBRA force provided a security covered to her as well as the venue.
A bomb disposal Squad was also kept on standby. Her route near Jhargram was sanitised with bomb disposal squad and armed security personnel making several rounds of the road.
The venue itself was heavily guarded with over three companies of paramilitary personnel deployed.
Everybody, including each of the 6,000 odd party supporters who came to attend the rally, was thoroughly frisked. No one was allowed to carry traditional tribal weapons.
After the rally, the crowd thronged the makeshift stages and despite objections from the security officers, Banerjee shook hands and talked to her supporters.
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People watching the script should not have been amused by the show of bravery in refusing to board a bullet proof car.It's mock threats and overtures in press meet, between allies in need.Both Ms know that they are indispensible in their overall fight to oust the LF from power in W B.Under intense pressure, perhaps from PM who is reported to have told the RM to behave as MEMBER of the Union Cabinet or else(!). It has become a bit difficult for the Central Govt to digest the total linkup between the Maoists-a banned organisation and Rly Min in the Cabinet who has been consistently opposing actions central govt. The combatants-in-arms in Nandigram and Singur cannot separate themselves though tmc chief is eager to dislodge the maoist from it's shoulders.So just to feed the media and to refurbish the tattered image as the ally of maoist and the organiser of loot, arson,eviction and murder of opponents, the gimmick. Her appeasing posture in meeting at reveals is a message to dispel cloud.
It's Didi's Gandhigiri that put the security personnel on the spot.Didi made a U-turn from her earlier stance on the maoist as came out of her last press meet where she challenged Maoists to come out of their hideouts and face her.Now she bent on her knees and appeal to them to shun arms and come to the main stream of poltics.Let us wait and watch what happens next.