Security for two industrialists in Kolkata after threat calls

The West Bengal government today provided security cover for two city-based industrialists after they complained to the
police of receiving ransom calls.

"You have seen on television that some individuals have received ransom calls. Two complaints about the ransom calls are lodged with the city police," home secretary Ardhendu Sen told reporters here.
    
Sen declined to name the complainants or specify any detail about them, but said steps have been taken to provide them security.

Earlier, city police sources said three city-based industrialists have received threat of kidnap by a terrorist outfit if they failed to pay up hefty ransoms to meet the cost of litigation of Aftab Ansari, sentenced to death in the American Center shootout case.

Asked whether the government would provide security to all captains of industry here in the wake of the ransom calls, Sen said, "The industrialists usually engage private security personnel. But if they come to us requesting security, we shall certainly think about it."

In reply to a question, Sen said reports that the calls had come from Karachi could not be immediately ascertained. The caller had also not been identified.

On the amount of ransom demanded, Sen said it was "much less" than Rs 100 crore as reported in the media.