Kolkata Police have withdrawn the additional security deployment around the residence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and MP Abhishek Banerjee.
The move is significant as Banerjee is the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and a high-profile figure within the TMC. The sudden reduction of the police shield in the Hazra neighbourhood has drawn attention to the security protocols surrounding the party's leadership.
According to police, the extra security was removed because the deployment was no longer required [1, 2]. Officials said that security for the MP would continue as per standard rules [1, 2].
The residence had previously been classified as a “high-security zone” until May 4 [2]. This designation had allowed for a heightened police presence in the area to ensure the safety of the leader, and the stability of the neighbourhood.
Local reports describe the withdrawal as a moment of high drama at the residence [3]. While the specific trigger for the change was not detailed beyond the statement that the extra cover was unnecessary, the action marks a shift in the visible security posture of the Kolkata Police in the Hazra area [1, 2].
Banerjee continues to serve as a Member of Parliament and a key strategist for the TMC. The police have not indicated whether the additional security will be reinstated in the future, noting only that current standard protocols remain in effect [1, 2].
“Kolkata Police withdrew the additional security deployment around Abhishek Banerjee’s residence.”
The reduction of security for a high-ranking TMC leader suggests a shift in the perceived threat level or a reallocation of police resources in Kolkata. By returning to 'standard rules,' the police are signaling that the exceptional circumstances justifying a 'high-security zone' have subsided, though the timing of such moves often coincides with broader political adjustments within the state.
