Man Who Intruded Into Mamata's House Carried Iron Rod, CM's Security Beefed Up: Police

With that rod, the accused was sitting in front of Mamta Banerjee's house for about seven hours, said police.

Indian security personnel escort Trinamool Congress (TMC) party leader Mamata Banerjee (C) as she makes her way to attend a rally (Source: File photo/AFP)

New Delhi: The man who entered West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee's residence complex in Kalighat late on Saturday night, defying security, had also hidden an iron rod in his shirt, police said on Tuesday as reported by news agency PTI. From the Preliminary investigation into the matter, it has been revealed that the man, identified as Hafizul Mollah, scaled the wall and remained seated in a space opposite a hall where Mamata holds press conferences, a Kolkata Police officer said.

"He sneaked into the CM's residence, hiding an iron rod under his shirt. We are questioning him to know the purpose of carrying it with him," the officer said.

The accused was caught by the security personnel on Sunday morning, but the entire administration has been shaken by the lapse in the security of CM Banerjee. The accused Hafizul was produced in Alipore Court on Monday, where he has been sent to police custody till July 11. The accused had taken an iron rod with him. With that rod, he was sitting in front of Mamta Banerjee's house for about seven hours. After this incident, the security of the Chief Minister has been tightened.

Police Beef Up Security At CM's Residence, Cops Can't Use Mobile Phones

After this security lapse, a meeting of high-ranking officials was held at the state secretariat Naban. The security of the Chief Minister has been increased, a top bureaucrat said on Tuesday. Police Commissioner Vineet Goel has given instructions to investigate the negligence of the police.

"It has been noticed that most of the time the police personnel on duty are busy on social networking sites that hamper their job. To curb this, we have decided to ban the use of mobile phones by security officials while being on duty," the bureaucrat told PTI.

The decision might also be implemented at other governmental offices.

"It is a part of tightening the security arrangements at Nabanna," he said.

More police personnel will be posted at the chief minister's residence on each shift.

"Earlier, there used to be 70 police personnel in one shift. From now on, there will be 18 more," the official said.

Banerjee, covered by a 'Z Plus' security, likewise has a 24X7 three-level security around her home where no less than 150 police work force and 10 commandos are deputed. She is joined by something like 32 to 36 security guards.

(With PTI inputs)