Kolkata, May 11 -- The new state government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has taken a significant decision regarding the security arrangements of political leaders. On Monday afternoon, a directive was issued stating that the extensive security cover and special pilot car facilities earlier provided to Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee would no longer continue in their present form. Sources said the Director of Security will now review and determine the appropriate level of security required for Abhishek.
For more than a decade, Abhishek Banerjee had been receiving 'Z+' category security cover, which included road restrictions during movement and deployment of a large number of police personnel and commandos. During a meeting with District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police on Monday afternoon, Chief Minister Adhikari reportedly made it clear that no political leader would be given unnecessary security unless there was a genuine threat perception.
He questioned the use of public funds for maintaining elaborate security arrangements merely for display of status.
Sources at Nabanna said that Abhishek Banerjee, the Diamond Harbour MP, would now receive only the standard security cover entitled to a Member of Parliament under Union Home Ministry guidelines.
The process of scaling down his security had reportedly already begun, with scanners removed from his residence and office and the police outpost outside his home dismantled.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.