Shantiniketan
After poll rout, security scaled down at Abhishek Banerjee’s ‘Shantiniketan’ residence, office in Kolkata
Additional police deployment and area security arrangements outside MP Abhishek Banerjee’s residence, ‘Shantiniketan’, in south Kolkata were scaled down on Wednesday, two days after the All India Trinamool Congress suffered a massive defeat in the Assembly elections.
A similar step was taken outside his office in the city, although his Z-category security cover remains unchanged.
The revised arrangements came into effect early Wednesday morning following fresh instructions, officials told The Telegraph.
The rollback applies to area management measures around the Diamond Harbour MP’s residence on Harish Mukherjee Road and his office on Camac Street.
According to reports, only a scissor barricade was visible outside the residence on Wednesday, with no police personnel stationed there—marking a stark contrast to earlier arrangements.
Until recently, stringent security protocols were in place, including route sanitisation and advance movement checks, with police clearing and monitoring roads ahead of the TMC national general secretary’s movements.
With the revised setup, advance route checks and traffic clearance measures ahead of his movement have been discontinued.
Locals react
Residents in the area expressed relief over the easing of restrictions.
“This was not a proper ‘Shantiniketan’; it had become ‘Ashantiniketan’ (a place of unrest). Now the name finally fits,” a local resident remarked.
“It was difficult for people to move freely. Roads would be blocked for long periods whenever Abhishek Banerjee travelled,” another said.
A third resident added, “Even during visits by his family members to the Kalighat Kali Temple, regular devotees faced restrictions. We are relieved now.”
BJP registers landslide victory in polls
The Bharatiya Janata Party secured a landslide victory in the Assembly elections, ending the TMC’s 15-year rule in West Bengal.
The BJP won 207 seats, while the TMC managed 80.
TMC supremo and outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was defeated from the Bhabanipur constituency—long considered a TMC stronghold—by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee described the outcome as a “moral victory” and, on Tuesday, declined to resign as Chief Minister.
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