Kolkata: Security was intensified at Kolkata’s Lok Bhavan late on Thursday after West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose received a threatening email containing the words “will blast him”, prompting an immediate review of his safety arrangements. The Governor’s office confirmed that the message warned of a possible attack, triggering an urgent response from state and central security agencies.

Officials said the information was swiftly passed on to the Union Home Ministry due to the gravity of the threat. Bose, who is protected under a Z-plus security cover, remains under heightened surveillance as authorities continue to assess the situation.

Security agencies coordinate response

Following the threat, senior officers overseeing the Governor’s protection convened a late-night emergency meeting to evaluate potential vulnerabilities and reinforce existing protocols. State police and personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are working jointly to ensure there are no lapses.

Sources noted that this is not the first instance of threatening communication targeting the Governor, with earlier messages of a similar nature having been reported.

Investigations are under way to trace the origin of the email and determine whether it is linked to previous threats.

BJP targets Mamata Banerjee government

Reacting sharply to the development, BJP leader Amit Malviya criticised the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, alleging a breakdown of law and order in the state. “Welcome to Mamata Banerjee's regime, where even the Governor is not safe. Law and order has completely collapsed in West Bengal,” he posted on social media. He further charged, “The Home Minister, Mamata Banerjee, is busy snatching incriminating files from the ED in order to protect a private firm accused of coal smuggling and money laundering. Mamata Banerjee is an unmitigated disaster.”

Malviya’s remarks came amid heightened political tension following dramatic scenes earlier in the day.

ED raid triggers political confrontation

The threat email surfaced hours after an escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the BJP and the ruling TMC. On Thursday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived at the office of political consultancy firm I-PAC while Enforcement Directorate officials were conducting searches in connection with the coal smuggling investigation.

Banerjee criticised the federal agency for allegedly confiscating election-related material, including hard drives, candidate lists and strategic documents. She accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of politically motivated misuse of central investigative bodies.

TMC plans protest on 9 January

With West Bengal heading into elections in the first half of the year, tensions between the state government and the Centre continue to rise. Mamata Banerjee is slated to lead a demonstration in Kolkata on 9 January to protest against the ED’s actions, adding another layer to the intensifying political confrontation. (ANI)