In what the critics called “more of a political move than security necessity,” Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday impromptu declared Z+ security for Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen who has been having land related issues with the Visva-Bharati (Shantiniketan) University.
The Chief Minister who visited Pratichi the residence of Sen at Shaniniketan, some 100 miles from Kolkata directed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to “provide Z+ category security to Professor Sen.” She told the top officials “there should not be any security lapse in this regard,” asking them to “set up a police camp outside the house of the economist.” Though the Opposition BJP would not speak immediately over the issue some of their senior leaders wondered whether such decisions could be taken impromptu.
“Was there any genuine security threat … was there any police intelligence report regarding Professor Sen’s security … did he ask for it … was a meeting held before such order was issued suddenly by the Chief Minister even as she was sitting in his drawing room … this is bizarre because there is a difference between providing two-three security personnel and ordering a Z+ Security network … it entails
spending of tax-payers’ money … the Government cannot pay the DA to its employees and here such unnecessary and expensive security paraphernalia is being ordered,” a BJP State committee member said.
