Security at Mamata Banerjee’s home to be beefed up with 2 watchtowers; police denies report

Confusion prevailed over the construction of two watchtowers at Mamata's residence between police and state government.

Kolkata: In a bid to further strengthen security for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the state has decided to construct two watchtowers inside at her official residence on Harish Chatterjee Street, Kolkata.

The towers will be constructed for an estimated amount of Rs 74 lakh over 90 days.

However, the state police have vehemently denied this and claims that no such watchtowers are being erected.

Zee News accessed a document, issued by the Public Works Department of West Bengal government, inviting tenders to construct the two watchtowers at the Chief Minister’s residence. 

The notification WBPWD/SENABC/NieT-16 (2nd call)/2018-19, dated October 13 2018, states, “Government of West Bengal invites e-tender for the work detailed in the table below. Construction of 2 (two) nos watch towers in the residence of Hon’ble Chief Minister, West Bengal at 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street, Kolkata - 27 during 2018-19 under PWD Alipore Division. The estimated amount being Rs. 74,02,780.” 

Dismissing reports of the construction of the watchtowers, the West Bengal Police tweeted from its official Twitter handle, “Misinformation is being spread by some persons and media with vested interest stating that watchtowers in residence of Hon’ble Chief Minister of West Bengal are being erected. This is totally motivated and there is no such decision.”

Misinformation is being spread by some persons nd media with vested interest stating that watchtowers in residence of Honble Chief Minister West Bengal are being erected. This is totally motivated and there is no such decision. — West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) October 22, 2018

Earlier this year, in an exclusive interview to Zee 24 Ghanta, Mamta claimed that some political parties are trying to get her assassinated. 

“A particular party has given supari (contract) to kill me. The people who are trying to kill me have also carried out recce of my house. Police has asked to me to change the house. Earlier, too, I have been tried to be killed," said the 63-year-old chief of Trinamool Congress.

She added that her information is reliable and that certain Intelligence Bureau officials have asked her to shift to a government bungalow immediately. 

Mamata still lives in a single-storey house, which has been her home before becoming the state chief minister.