West Bengal Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta has dismissed claims that the security cover outside Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s residence was reduced after the Assembly election results. Clarifying the situation, the DGP said that the Z+ category security provided to Abhishek Banerjee remains fully intact and only “extra deployment” beyond the prescribed protocol has been withdrawn.
The controversy began after residents near Abhishek Banerjee’s Harish Mukherjee Road residence in Kolkata noticed a visible reduction in police presence. Barricades, scanners and additional security arrangements that had been in place earlier were reportedly removed, leading to speculation that the Trinamool Congress leader’s protection had been downgraded.
Responding to the allegations, DGP Gupta stated that both Abhishek Banerjee and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continue to receive security according to the official “Yellow Book” guidelines governing Z+ protectees. He emphasized that no official security cover has been withdrawn.
“A few people were speaking regarding withdrawal of security. Z+ category security was provided to the MP and Mamata Banerjee. The force deployment for the Z+ category is clearly mentioned in the Yellow Book. We are deploying the force according to that prescription. Extra deployment beyond that has been withdrawn and we are using it for law and order,” Gupta said.
Officials said the revised arrangements came after a review of security deployment across Kolkata and other sensitive areas in the state following the election outcome. The redeployment of personnel is reportedly aimed at handling post-poll law-and-order concerns in several districts, including Asansol, Cooch Behar and Baruipur, where incidents of violence have been reported.
Despite the withdrawal of additional area-management measures, Abhishek Banerjee continues to receive full personal protection under the Z+ category. Police sources also clarified that the changes mainly involved the removal of supplementary barricades, route-management systems and additional static deployment outside his residence and office.
