Kolkata: Hours after Suvendu Adhikari took oath as Bengal’s new chief minister on Saturday, security around his residence in Chinar Park was dramatically intensified, transforming the once-quiet residential stretch into a tightly guarded high-security zone. Till Friday, there was no visible security deployment outside Utthaan-II Resident Society at 167/4, Chinar Park. But from Saturday morning, the area saw round-the-clock deployment of nearly 15 central forces personnel, along with officers from Airport and Baguiati police stations.A separate contingent of state armed police equipped with riot gear has also been stationed in the area, alongside two Quick Response Team vehicles posted near the entrance to the apartment complex where Adhikari resides on the top floor of a G+4 residential block. Officials said the security overhaul began immediately after Adhikari was named the BJP legislature party leader and chief minister-designate on Friday. Teams from the forest department, disaster management group, Kolkata Police, CM security wing and Bidhannagar Police carried out a detailed inspection and route march around the locality before finalising the new security grid.Residents of the housing complex said the atmosphere in the area changed overnight. “It is a proud moment for us that the chief minister of West Bengal lives here. Naturally, there will be additional security checks now, but we have been assured that residents will not face inconvenience,” said a senior resident of the complex.Adhikari already enjoyed Z-plus category protection as a senior BJP leader. However, officials said the elevation to the CM’s post has brought multiple additional layers of security cover in line with state protocol. Sources added that the recent murder of his close aide, Chandranath Rath, also prompted a reassessment of security arrangements.After BJP’s poll victory, the party’s state headquarters in Salt Lake Sector V’s GN Block, where there was previously little routine police presence, a strong security blanket has now been put in place. Around 25 to 35 personnel, including officers from Electronic Complex police station, plain-clothes personnel from Bidhannagar commissionerate and traffic personnel from Nabadiganta traffic guard, are currently deployed round the clock.
