New Delhi: The Centre has directed the West Bengal government to submit a detailed report over alleged security and protocol lapses during an event attended by President Droupadi Murmu in Darjeeling district.
According to the report, the President visited the state recently and attended an annual celebration of a tribal community at Ghoshaipur. The programme was earlier planned at Bidhannagar but was later shifted to Ghoshaipur citing security reasons.
The venue change and arrangements triggered a political row after the President expressed displeasure, saying the event could have been better held at Bidhannagar with a larger public turnout. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior Union ministers criticised the West Bengal government, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said it was not a government function and that the state had provided all security arrangements.
In this backdrop, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan wrote to Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravarty seeking explanations on alleged violations of the ‘Blue Book’ protocol. The letter reportedly flagged the absence of the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and the state DGP during the President’s arrival, the Siliguri Mayor being the only person to receive her, and issues such as lack of water in a restroom meant for the President and garbage along the route of the security convoy.
The Centre also sought details of any action taken against officials responsible for arrangements, including the Darjeeling District Collector, the Siliguri Police Commissioner and an Additional District Collector. A response from the state government is expected soon.
