Kolkata, 12 January (H.S.):

Security has been stepped up outside the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office located at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake. According to sources, a total of 12 central armed police personnel have been deployed at the complex’s two entry gates, with six personnel stationed at each gate. Central force deployment was already in place at the CGO Complex, but the number of personnel has now been increased.

No official statement has been issued regarding the reason behind the enhanced security. However, it is believed that the decision may be linked to the situation that arose during the ED’s recent search operations at the residence and office of I-PAC chief Pratik Jain.

The CGO Complex has two main gates. During the ED action last Thursday, both entry points were temporarily closed. While there was no formal restriction on the entry of the general public, strict measures were taken to prevent “unwanted” crowds from entering the premises.

It is noteworthy that earlier the CGO Complex housed offices of both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). At that time, the presence of CRPF personnel at the gates was comparatively higher. However, after the CBI office was relocated from the CGO Complex around April last year, the number of central force personnel at the gates was reduced, and often only one or two guards were seen. In view of the current situation, security has once again been reinforced.

It may be recalled that during the ED searches last Thursday, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chairperson Mamata Banerjee visited Pratik Jain’s residence and later went to the I-PAC office in Salt Lake Sector V. Even after her departure, Trinamool Congress supporters remained gathered outside the building. When ED officials exited the I-PAC office in the evening after day-long searches, they faced protests and sloganeering against the agency. However, no incident of ED officials’ vehicles being stopped was reported on that day.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh