KOLKATA: The state govt on Monday downgraded the security cover of Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee. He will no longer receive Z+ category protection following a security review conducted by the Directorate of Security. Officials said he would now be provided only the standard security cover available to Members of Parliament.Sources said chief minister Suvendu Adhikari had enquired in the meeting why should an MP get additional security cover at the state’s expense. The decision comes days after visible changes in security arrangements outside the residences of former CM Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek following the Trinamool Congress’s electoral defeat. Police have already removed peripheral security deployment, dismantled kiosks, scanner machines and surveillance installations from multiple properties linked to Abhishek, including addresses on Harish Mukherjee Road, Kalighat Road and Camac Street.Abhishek’s security was upgraded to Z+ category in 2015 after being slapped by an engineering student during a public meeting. The attacker was assaulted by Trinamool supporters.Z+ security is among the country’s highest protection categories, involving nearly 55 personnel, bulletproof vehicles and advanced communication systems. Z category protection generally involves around 22 personnel and comparatively fewer defensive arrangements for protectees across the country.
