The recent imbroglio at Haldia Dock Complex, where a private cargo handler is now paying for police protection , has left many wondering if the State Government is charging abnormally high rates for such ‘security’.

The Calcutta High Court on October 19 asked the police to deploy additional forces to ensure law and order at the privately-run Haldia Bulk Terminals at the dock complex. HBT has suspended operations for over a month citing “lawlessness” and has been asked by the court to pay for the additional forces.

On Saturday, police started deploying additional forces at a whopping cost of Rs 1.75 lakh a day. The customer, HBT, was not served with the details of such charges.

“We have deposited Rs 17,45,730 to the district police administration and it covers the cost for deployment of police personnel (in Haldia) for 10 days,” Gurpreet Malhi, CEO, HBT said.

No details

The charges are “really high” and a break-up of the costs have been sought from the police , Malhi told Business Line .

“HBT is expecting a rational and an exact break-up to justify the really high daily amount of Rs 1.75 lakh that will have to be borne in order to enjoy our right to operate in a quiet and safe environment,” he alleged.

When contacted, Superintendent of Police, East Midnapore, Sukesh Kumar Jain, however, refused to give details of the cost structure or the number policemen to be deployed citing “security reasons”.

According to a High Court order, the SP will have complete charge in deciding the number of additional police personnel to be deployed at HBT.

>abhishek.l@thehindu.co.in

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