Suvendu orders police to ensure Mamata’s security

Suvendu Adhikari has instructed Kolkata Police to ensure the security of former chief minister Mamata Banerjee following the change of power in the state.

During a meeting with district magistrates and superintendents of police on Monday afternoon, Suvendu said authorities must not allow any lapse in Mamata Banerjee’s security arrangements because she remains a senior political leader and former chief minister.

At the same meeting, the chief minister said the government would no longer provide additional security to political leaders unless intelligence agencies identified a specific threat.

“Solely displaying influence or status at public expense will no longer continue,” he said.

Within 24 hours of the change in government, authorities removed special barricades from outside Mamata Banerjee’s residence in the Kalighat area of Kolkata.

The administration also withdrew additional security arrangements from the Camac Street office of Abhishek Banerjee, the all-India general secretary of the All India Trinamool Congress and MP for Diamond Harbour.

As part of its first major administrative decisions after assuming office, the new government also cancelled the special security force and pilot car facilities previously assigned to Abhishek Banerjee.