Kolkata: Amid inputs that the Indian
Mujahideen was trying to launch a possible attack on West
Bengal, a top official today said the entire state is facing a
security threat.
"The porous Bangladesh border is a serious security
threat for West Bengal," state Chief Secretary Ardhendu Sen
said here and referred to inputs that the state was facing
possible threats of attack by IM.
Sen said the security position in Darjeeling was so
delicate that it had the potential of disturbing harmony in
many areas of north Bengal.
"If the problem in Darjeeling was not resolved, then
this may seriously disturb the co-existence of many tribes and
castes living in areas in the north," he said at an
interaction at the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce here.
On tomorrow`s meeting with leaders of the Gorkha
Janmukti Morcha, fighting for a separate state in the
Darjeeling hills, Sen did not pin much hope, saying "prospects
of reaching an agreement does not seem bright, though some
progress can be made."
On Sunderbans, he said that due to the geographic
profile of the region, it was not possible to police the
entire region.
He said that following the Mumbai attacks, the state
government had stepped up coastal surveillance by setting
up police stations. The state government will issue identity
cards to fishermen and make registration for boats.
He said though districts like Malda, Nadia and
Murshidabad had come under Maoist influence and there was
evidence that some were staying in these areas, the situation
was not very disturbing.
"Our experience in Jangalmahal had been mixed. We lost
our people. But we also have been able to arrest many active
squad members at the middle level," he said.
Sen said although none of the top-rung extremists had
been arrested efforts were on to nab them.
He regretted that resource crunch was a major hurdle
to enhance the level and quality of policing.
Sen said that the state government had sought Rs 260
crore from the 13th Finance Commission for upgrading the
training facilities and the money had been granted.
-PTI
