Hours after receiving a death threat via email, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Friday chose to step out onto the streets of Kolkata without additional security personnel, underscoring his confidence in the people of the state.
On Friday morning, the Governor visited Dacres Lane in the Esplanade area, a narrow but well-known street food hub close to Governor's house in central Kolkata, where he had breakfast. His public appearance came even as security was tightened at Lok Bhavan, the Governor’s residence, following the threat received on Thursday night.
Meanwhile, police arrested the suspect from the Salt Lake area within hours of the incident. A senior official at Lok Bhavan said the accused is being interrogated to gather further information regarding the threat. Following the email, the Governor’s security — already at Z-plus level — was further enhanced.
Speaking after his visit to Dacres Lane, Governor Bose downplayed the threat. “Everyone is fulfilling their duties. Just as the security guards perform their duties, I perform mine. The Governor’s first duty is to the people; the second is also to the people, and so is the third. I trust the people, and they trust me. I love Bengal, I love the Bengali language, and I work for Bengal. I don’t pay attention to threat emails. The people love me, so no threat works against me,” he said.
During his brief walk along the narrow lane, Bose interacted with food-stall owners and distributed chocolates among pedestrians and onlookers.
“He asked how my business was doing and even took a food plate from my hand for breakfast. I was surprised to see how well he knew about the lane’s reputation as a street food hub in central Kolkata,” said Binod Dhar, a food-stall owner.
Shyam Bagchi, another eyewitness of Bose's walk along the narrow crowded lane, said the Governor asked him about the place's speciality. "Though he was not good in speaking Bengali. But I explained that Dacres Lane is all about cheap street food popular among regular visitors. He agreed," Bagchi recounted.
An officer at Lok Bhavan said this was not the first time the Governor had received such threats. “Similar threats have been received earlier. Today, the Governor walked on the streets of Kolkata without security guards. He is confident that the people of Bengal will protect him,” the officer said.
According to Lok Bhavan officials, the email threatened to kill the Governor using an explosion and even included a mobile phone number. “We immediately informed the Director General of Police and asked for swift action. Given the seriousness of the threat, the matter was reported to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Union Home Ministry, in addition to the DGP,” the official said. The state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are jointly coordinating to ensure the Governor’s security.
Following the threat, security arrangements at Lok Bhavan have been significantly strengthened, with around 60–70 central forces personnel deployed. A late-night meeting was held among senior security officials to review the situation and reinforce existing measures. Security has been increased at all entry points of Raj Bhavan.
The Kolkata Police have been informed about the source of the threatening email, and the cybercrime department has initiated an investigation. Sources said efforts are underway to trace the digital trail and determine whether others were involved. Officials also noted that Governor Bose had received similar threatening messages in the past.
The incident triggered sharp political reactions, with BJP leader Amit Malviya attacking the Mamata Banerjee-led government over the state’s law and order situation. In a post on X, Malviya said, “Welcome to Mamata Banerjee’s regime, where the Governor is not safe. Law and order gas completely collapsed in West Bengal. 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.”
Also read: Mamata leads Kolkata protest against ED raids at I-PAC
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