5 arrested so far in Abhishek's assault case, security beefed up to X-category

The West Bengal police have arrested six individuals following a tense confrontation involving Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee in Sonarpur. The incident occurred on Saturday when the Diamond Harbour MP was visiting the residence of a deceased party worker. During his visit, Banerjee was met with significant public hostility, with protestors hurling eggs and brick fragments at his vehicle while raising "chor" (thief) slogans. The intensity of the harassment, which occurred while Banerjee was walking to the worker's house, has sparked serious concerns regarding the adequacy of police security during high-profile visits.

In response to the incident, the Sonarpur police station conducted extensive search operations throughout Saturday night. Investigators meticulously examined video footage of the attack to identify the perpetrators, leading to the initial apprehension of at least five local residents on Sunday morning. Authorities are currently interrogating the suspects to determine if the attack was a spontaneous burst of public anger or a coordinated effort involving others. While a heavy police presence remains in the area to maintain order, officials have been tight-lipped about the specific identities of those taken into custody.

The incident has prompted the state government to immediately upgrade Abhishek Banerjee’s security detail. It has been decided that the MP will now be provided with X-category security, increasing his personal security guard count from two to three. This decision comes amidst a broader political debate regarding his protection. Following the recent change in the state administration, Banerjee’s previous Z-plus security—which included a massive convoy and guards at his residence—was withdrawn by the current government under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari during a security review.