Kolkata, 11 May (H.S.) : In the wake of the murder of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s close aide Chandranath Rath in Madhyamgram on May 6, the administration has decided to significantly strengthen the Chief Minister’s security arrangement. According to sources in Nabanna, both central security forces and the West Bengal Police will jointly remain deployed for Adhikari’s protection for the next few months.

Adhikari had been under central security cover since December 2020, after he left the Trinamool Congress and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party. Even after becoming the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly in 2021, his central security cover remained in place. Although the state government had earlier proposed deploying state police personnel for his security as the Bhabanipur MLA, he reportedly declined the arrangement at that time.

During his tenure as Leader of the Opposition, Adhikari faced multiple alleged attacks in different parts of the state, prompting the Union Home Ministry to grant him Z-category security cover. Until he took oath as Chief Minister on Saturday, his security responsibility was primarily handled by central forces.

However, following his swearing-in as Chief Minister, the West Bengal Police formally assumed responsibility for his security. The killing of Chandranath Rath, allegedly by hired shooters, has heightened concerns within the administration, leading authorities to avoid taking any risks regarding the Chief Minister’s safety.

Sources said the Union Home Ministry has decided to continue the central security cover while the state government will simultaneously deploy its own police personnel as part of a coordinated security arrangement.

Despite receiving high-level protection, Adhikari is known to dislike excessive security measures around him. Officials said the new arrangement is being planned in a way that ensures his official programmes and public interactions are not disrupted.

“Adequate security will certainly be provided to the Chief Minister, but the administration is also ensuring that he does not feel inconvenienced by the arrangements,” a Nabanna official said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh