Bengal Guv leads search operation at Raj Bhavan for “arms” post TMC MP's allegations

Kolkata, Nov 17 (PTI) West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Monday led a team of security personnel involved in a search operation at the Raj Bhavan in the wake of allegations by a TMC MP that arms and ammunition were stacked within its premises, an official said.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee had on Saturday accused Bose of "sheltering BJP criminals" inside the Raj Bhavan and "arming them with bombs and guns".

"Governor Bose is leading the team of personnel, comprising Kolkata Police officers and central forces, the bomb squad and dog squad to find out whether there are arms and ammunition stacked inside," the official told PTI.

Bose, who was on a short trip to North Bengal, cut short his tour to spearhead the operation, which started from the ground floor of the Raj Bhavan around 2.15 pm, he said.

"There was also deployment of personnel at the Raj Bhavan Police Outpost. Officials of the Disaster Management & Civil Defence departments are also participating in the search," he said.

To facilitate the combing operation, the Raj Bhavan premises have been evacuated.

Members of the civil society and journalists were allowed to accompany Bose during the exercise, which is being “live streamed”, the official said.

The TMC MP had made the allegations on Saturday, hours after Bose said that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was essential to "clean up the election process".

Bose on Sunday said he sought legal opinion over Banerjee's allegations, prompting the lawmaker to say he is ready for a battle in court and that he cannot be intimidated. PTI SCH RBT