West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday banned the entry of journalists in the VIP zone of Writers"™ Buildings. This is the first time such a restriction has been imposed on journalists with government accreditation cards.
The area comprises the space in front of the chambers of the chief minister, chief secretary, home secretary, under secretary and the conference hall.
The order was conveyed to the media by Special Commissioner of Kolkata Police Shivaji Ghosh. He ordered the removal of all TV cameras and journalists who assemble at the area every day to cover government events.
The chief minister had given a hint of the restrictions on Monday night when she said only the CM will henceforth use the podium in the VIP zone to address the media.
On Tuesday, the police went a step further and restricted the unhindered movement of journalists.
When confronted by an angry media as the new system led to chaos, Shivaji Ghosh expressed helplessness."I am just carrying out orders that I have received from the top. This is being done for security reasons. I understand your problems but I am helpless,"™"™ the special CP said.
Citing security reasons, metal detectors have already been installed on two sides of the chief minister"™s office.
Even former chief ministers Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee did not have such a secluded zone during their tenure.
Journalists asked Ghosh how could the media be a security threat when the chief minister moves around in an ordinary car without a pilot vehicle, sits on the front seat and freely mingles with the public.