Cooch Behar, Feb. 20: Akshay Thakur, the Forward Bloc MLA representing Cooch Behar West, has decided to give up the personal security guard provided to him by the state police.

Thakur said he saw no threat to his life from the very people who elected him. He added that the move was meant to snub CPM leaders who flaunt the security cover.

“I was given a guard when I became MLA, but I do not take him with me wherever I go. I am not fearful of my electorate and that is why I have taken this decision,” said Thakur (in picture by Main Uddin Chisti). Reacting to a report in today’s The Telegraph, which dealt with police constables escorting non-elected CPM leaders, the MLA said he was forsaking his security as a mark of protest against the trend.

Since the February 5 Dinhata police firing, the Forward Bloc has been carrying out a steady campaign against the government. Five party supporters fell to police bullets on that day, while a National Volunteer Force member died the following day after being beaten up during the violence. Bloc sources said other party MLAs might also follow in Thakur’s footsteps.

Reacting to Thakur’s decision, a CPM leader said the MLA’s move was another gambit to mount pressure on his party.