Following the Nandigram incident in which chief minister Mamata Banerjee was injured, state police have been instructed by the Election Commission of India to ensure that all star campaigners adhere to security protocols laid down by security agencies.

The instructions sent by the election commission through the state’s chief electoral officer include ensuring use of bullet-proof vehicles for a Z-plus protectee and following security protocol like wearing a seat belt during the use of any vehicle or helicopter for election campaigns.

The election commission, in a communication to the state chief electoral officer on March 14, has said the rules should be conveyed to all the political parties and the star campaigners for “strict compliance in their own interest and possible sensational impact on the general law and order across the state in case of any untoward incident”.

“Attention has also been drawn that the safety provisions as prescribed in the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 (as amended) (e.g applying seat belt etc) are also not being followed in some cases thereby violating the existing statutory provisions punishable under law,” it reads.

The message reached the state a few hours after the state director of security and district police chief of East Midnapore were suspended for alleged security lapses during the chief minister’s visit to Nandigram on March 10 where she was injured.

A senior official of the state election commission said: “This is just to reiterate that it is the primary duty of the police and the security agencies to ensure the safety and security of the star campaigners and VIPs in the state, failing which they would be held responsible.”

The “yellow book” of security that deals with the security rules of Z-plus protectees mentions the mandatory use of bullet-proof vehicles and defines the role of security personnel.

Several police officers expressed helplessness and wondered if the norms could ever be implemented at a time leaders wanted proximity with people.