Additional security cover at key residences and offices linked to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee was withdrawn early Wednesday morning, barely 48 hours after the conclusion of the Assembly polls.
At precisely 6:30 AM, security arrangements at three prominent South Kolkata addresses were scaled down following a directive issued by the Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) at Lalbazar. The order, dated May 5, mandated the removal of additional forces from 9 Camac Street, 121 Kalighat Road, and 188A Harish Chatterjee Street.
For over a decade, these locations — particularly Harish Chatterjee Street and Camac Street — had been synonymous with heavy police deployment, fortified barricades, and restricted access. On Wednesday morning, however, the change was visibly stark. Security kiosks stood empty, temporary booths were abandoned, and the familiar “scissor barricades” at the entrance of Mamata Banerjee’s residence had been removed, restoring an unusual sense of normalcy to the area.
Officials clarified that while the additional security layer has been withdrawn, both leaders will continue to receive standard protection in accordance with their current status— Mamata Banerjee as a former Chief Minister and Abhishek Banerjee as a Member of Parliament.
At 9 Camac Street, long regarded as a central hub of TMC operations, the heavy police presence began thinning out shortly after Tuesday afternoon. By Wednesday, the main gate was devoid of security personnel. A similar situation unfolded at 121 Kalighat Road, where the once-crowded security deployment had completely disappeared.
The move has drawn significant attention in political circles, with many interpreting it as an early administrative step signaling a transition of power in the state. The swift implementation of the order — down to the specified timing — further underscores the changing dynamics following the election outcome.
Residents in the Kalighat area also noted a visible shift. Streets that were previously tightly controlled and difficult to access appeared more open, with fewer restrictions on movement. Harish Mukherjee Road, long associated with strict security arrangements and frequent VVIP movement, showed signs of a relaxed environment.
Also read: Mamata refuses to quit, calls poll verdict a ‘conspiracy’
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