West Bengal Govt Strips Abhishek Banerjee of Z-Plus Security

Kolkata (IANS): The Suvendu Adhikari-led West Bengal government completely withdrew the ‘Z-plus’ security cover of Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Monday. A government official confirmed that the administration has also scrapped the additional security personnel and special pilot car facilities previously allotted to the leader.

End of a Decade-Long Protocol

Banerjee had enjoyed Z-plus protection for over a decade. However, the new administration began scaling back his security immediately after the change of power following the recent Assembly polls. Monday’s administrative directive marks the final phase of this reduction, leaving the MP with only the standard security cover typically provided to a Member of Parliament.

CM Adhikari Targets “Status Symbols”

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari issued the directive following high-level meetings at Nabanna with District Magistrates and senior police officers. During the review, the Chief Minister sent a clear message:

• Threat-Based Security: Government security should only address genuine threats, not serve as a status symbol.
• Fiscal Responsibility: Adhikari questioned the expenditure of public funds on elaborate security arrangements intended merely to project influence.

Widespread Security Reductions

The policy shift extends beyond the Diamond Harbour MP. The government has systematically dismantled the extensive police infrastructure once present at key TMC locations:

• Camac Street: Police guards and specialized equipment have been removed from outside Abhishek Banerjee’s office.
• Harish Mukherjee Road: The security apparatus at Banerjee’s residence, ‘Santiniketan,’ has been entirely withdrawn.
• Harish Chatterjee Street: Within 24 hours of the new government taking charge, officials removed the barricades and additional Kolkata Police personnel from former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence.

Administrative sources stated that the state will now regulate political security arrangements strictly according to Union Home Ministry guidelines.