Thaindian News

Haldia (West Bengal), Oct 23 (IANS) A beleaguered West Bengal government is now talking of “some strategies” to prevent the recurrence of incidents like the abduction of police officer Atindranath Dutta by Maoists, a top official said Friday.
“We are now planning to formulate some strategies so that such incidents do not take place in our state. We have already tightened our security and put the police force on alert,” Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty told reporters on the sidelines of a Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation PTA India event in this East Midnapore industrial town.

Sankrail police station officer-in-charge Atindranath Dutta was abducted at gun point Tuesday from his quarters by the Maoists, who freed him Thursday evening in a swap with 14 women rebels bailed out by the court after the state government did not oppose their plea.

“Give us some time. We will be able to inform you of that (the strategies) shortly,” Chakraborty said.

The government has already announced a risk allowance for those police officers working in crisis zones.

“We have also announced that one family member of every police officer killed by the Maoists will receive the full salary for the rest of his or her life. Additionally, the state government will provide them accommodation facilities”.

Asked about Dutta’s release, he said the government felt relieved.

“But at the same time we are anxious about the condition of two state police constables who have gone missing in Lalgarh,” he said.

Kanchan Garai and Sabir Molla of the state armed police, deployed for anti-Maoist operations in Lalgarh, have been untraced since July 30, amid fears that the Leftist ultras have abducted them.