PM assures Paswan of enhanced security

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday assured Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan of enhanced security, a day after a landmine blasted his security vehicle in the Maoist-infested West Midnapore in West Bengal.

The Prime Minister had a word with Paswan and told him that he will direct the ministry concerned to enhance his security.

"The prime minister has assured me to do the needful to enhance security for me," Paswan said.

West Bengal orders inquiry

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya also ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

"The West Bengal Chief Minister told me that a high-level inquiry has been ordered after it was found that it was a bomb blast," he said. Paswan had a close shave yesterday when a landmine blasted his security vehicle in Baroa in West Midnapore district shortly after West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya passed through the area of attack that left six policemen injured.

Z-plus security for Paswan? 

Immediately after the blast, LJP had demanded Z-plus security for Paswan, saying that the blast was nothing but an attempt to assassinate him as Maoists had earlier also attacked their leader and even blown up his house in Bihar.

Vice President Hamid Ansari and Home Minister Shivraj Patil also called up Paswan today to inquire about his well-being. Both Paswan and Bhattacharjee were returning after laying the foundation stone of the Sajjan Jindal-promoted JSW group's mega steel plant at Salboni in West Bengal. Industry Minister Nirupam Sen, Sajjan Jindal, senior JSW officials and a media team were also travelling on the same route.