Less security for chief irks GTA

VIVEK CHHETRI
Darjeeling, Aug. 14: The GTA is peeved with the security detail provided to its chief executive Bimal Gurung and has demanded more armed personnel for him and security for his deputy, all 14 Sabha executive members, chairman and deputy chairman.

Gurung has four armed security personnel and sources in the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha said he was not happy with the arrangement.

Gurung had been given the same number of armed men before he became the chief executive as there was a threat to his security.

Only today was a pilot car attached to Gurung’s cavalcade, but even then the GTA leaders are not happy with the security for their chief.

Binay Tamang, an executive member of the GTA, today said: “A pilot car was given to the chief executive but this is not enough. He should be given an armed escort too. The deputy chief executive, chairman and deputy chairman of the GTA Sabha, executive members and other members should be also given security as the government is now responsible for their security.”

He said the chief executive should be given 12 police personnel. “There should be an additional seven police personnel posted at his residence. We also want 14 police personnel at Lal Khoti (the complex where Gurung’s office is presently situated),” he added.

Tamang sought two armed guards each for the deputy chief executive, 14 executive members of the GTA and chairman and deputy chairman of the GTA Sabha. “One policeman should also be given to the rest of the GTA members,” said Tamang.

Kunal Aggarwal, superintendent of police, said he did not have the powers to detail pilot cars and police escorts unless he got a green light from the home department. Sources said an escort could be provided to someone who was placed in Z category security or any grade above that.

A senior official in the home department said in Calcutta that Gurung was entitled to a pilot. “There was some delay in the process to sanction the pilot car for the GTA chief executive. The vehicle has been provided to him. He has already a security cover. He would be provided with four to five additional guards.”