Central forces and state police to jointly secure CM Suvendu after PA Chandranath’s murder

The security arrangement for West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is being strengthened, with both central forces and state police set to jointly handle his protection for the next few months. The move comes after the murder of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of the Chief Minister, who was shot dead in Madhyamgram on the night of May 6. According to sources in Nabanna, the state administration does not want to leave any gap in the Chief Minister’s security following the incident.

Suvendu Adhikari has been receiving Z-category security from the Union Home Ministry since leaving the All India Trinamool Congress and joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in December 2020. Even after becoming the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly in 2021, his security continued to remain under central forces. Sources said that although the state government had previously proposed deploying state police personnel for his security, he did not accept the arrangement at that time.

During his tenure as Leader of the Opposition, several alleged life-threatening attacks reportedly took place on him in different parts of the state. Following those incidents, the Union Home Ministry upgraded and continued his Z-category security cover. Until he took oath as Chief Minister on Saturday, central forces were solely responsible for his protection.

After assuming office as Chief Minister, the state police also became officially responsible for his security. Following the killing of Chandranath Rath, the administration decided to maintain the central security cover while simultaneously deploying state police personnel. Sources indicated that the revised arrangement was made to ensure additional layers of protection during the initial phase of the new government.

Despite the enhanced security structure, sources said the Chief Minister personally does not prefer excessive security arrangements around him. Officials are therefore redesigning the security protocol in a manner intended to avoid disruption to his public programmes and political activities. According to a Nabanna official, authorities are attempting to balance necessary security measures with the Chief Minister’s preference for minimal interference during public engagements.