Manmohan assures Paswan of enhanced security after landmine blast

New Delhi, Nov 3 : A day after a landmine blasted Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan's security vehicle in the Maoist-infested West Midnapore in West Bengal, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today assured him of enhanced security.

The Prime Minister had a word with Paswan and told him that he will direct the ministry concerned to enhance his security.

"The Prime Minister has assured me to do the needful to enhance security for me," Paswan said.

West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

"The West Bengal Chief Minister told me that a high-level inquiry has been ordered after it was found that it was a bomb blast," he said.

Paswan had a close shave on Sunday when a landmine blasted his security vehicle in Baroa in West Midnapore district shortly after Bhattacharjee passed through the area of attack that left six policemen injured.

Immediately after the blast, LJP had demanded Z plus security for Paswan, saying that the blast was nothing but an attempt to assassinate him as Maoists had earlier also attacked their leader and even blown up his house in Bihar.

Vice President Hamid Ansari and Home Minister Shivraj Patil also called up Paswan on Monday to inquire about his well-being.

ANI