Kolkata Police has withdrawn or downgraded security cover for ten VIPs, including former Directors General of Police (DGPs), Trinamool Congress MPs, former ministers, and other prominent individuals, officials confirmed on Monday. The move comes as part of a rationalization exercise based on current threat assessments and statutory entitlements.
Details of Security Withdrawals and Downgrades
In an email issued by Joint Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) Sudeep Sarkar, senior officers were informed that ten VIPs have been re-categorized or deleted from the state protective list regarding their security coverage. Among those affected are Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Kumar, MP Kalyan Banerjee, and MLA Kunal Ghosh. House guards assigned to all three have been withdrawn. However, Lalbazar officials clarified that Rajeev Kumar and Kalyan Banerjee would continue to receive standard security cover applicable to MPs, while Ghosh would receive protection in line with his status as an MLA.
Other Affected Personalities
The list also includes former Kolkata mayor Sovan Chatterjee and former MP and current Trinamool state secretary Subrata Bakshi. Former ministers Aroop Biswas and Chandrima Bhattacharya, both of whom lost their seats in recent elections, have had their security withdrawn completely. Other prominent names include former political strategist Prashant Kishor, former DGP Manoj Malviya, and director of security Piyush Pandey, whose cover has also been scaled down.
A senior police officer stated, “Security is being rationalized according to the current threat matrix and statutory entitlements.” Police officials added that the withdrawals and downgrades have so far been implemented without incident. Local police units have been instructed to monitor any change in threat perception and respond if necessary.
Recent Security Review
Earlier this week, the security deployment outside the residence of Diamond Harbour MP and Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee was also reduced following an internal review, senior officials said. The Kolkata Police continues to assess security needs across the city to ensure optimal allocation of resources.
