Police security arrangements outside residence, office of TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee in Kolkata withdrawn

Following a formal review, additional police deployment and area security arrangements outside TMC leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee's Harish Mukherjee Road residence and Camac Street office in Kolkata have been withdrawn.

Officials said the withdrawal of the deployment took effect early Wednesday morning following fresh instructions.

The police cabin built outside the residence has yet to be dismantled.

A scissor barricade was seen covering the footpath in front of his Harish Mukherjee Road residence, and no police personnel were present.

A 'scissor barricade' is a collapsible metal security barrier used by police to control or restrict entry to a road, lane or building. It expands and folds like a pair of scissors, hence the name.

PTI reported that the earlier protocol included route sanitisation and advance movement checks by police before the TMC national general secretary travelled to any destination.

His existing security grading remain unchanged, and he continues to receive Z-category police protection.

The revised arrangements stated that no police vehicle will conduct advance route checks or ensure traffic clearance ahead of Banerjee's movement, officials indicated.

The scissor barricade at the entry road for outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also removed on Tuesday.

An official said a broader review of security classification for leaders of the outgoing TMC government is underway.

"We are reassessing security arrangements based on present requirements," he said, as he named leaders such as Firhad Hakim, Aroop Biswas and Sujit Bose as among those under review.

"Security deployment is periodically evaluated and adjusted in accordance with the prevailing situation," he said.