Give Z+ security to Abhishek Banerjee during travel: Bengal to Centre

The West Bengal government has asked the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to provide Z+ security to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee even if he travels within the country.

The development came after the Kolkata Police Special Task Force and the detective department arrested a person from Mumbai for allegedly conducting recce around the house and offices of Abhishek Banerjee, an official said on Monday.

"This office is in receipt of information that Kolkata Police has caught an individual who reportedly has or had connections with some terrorist organisations. It is reported that the said person has recceed the residence of Abhishek Banerjee, a Z+ category protectee," the West Bengal government said.

Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, already has a Z+ security cover. Under this security coverage, 55 personnel, along with CRPF commandos, guard him round-the-clock. Based on intelligence inputs, National Security Guard (NSG) commandos can also be deployed if required.

The state government said the Chief Minister's Office was in touch with Kolkata Police and its sister agencies to ensure necessary measures were in place for proper security arrangements for Abhishek Banerjee, an MP from Diamond Harbour.

"Given the expansive scope and operation of the group in which the individual purportedly belongs to, his perceived threat extends beyond state and national borders, particularly in light of recent developments," it added.

"With extensive involvement both domestically within and outside the state, his security and that of other VIPs remains a pressing concern," the state government stressed.

It stated it was imperative that the issue be brought to the attention of the MHA to ensure "Abhishek Banerjee receives the highest level of protection warranted by the alarming circumstances".

The arrested person, identified as Rajaram Rege, tried to call Abhishek Banerjee and his personal assistant after getting their numbers, the officer said.

The officer also said that Rege had met the 2008 Mumbai attacks' prime accused David Headley earlier, apart from others.

Rege stayed at a hotel in Kolkata's Shakespeare Sarani area before returning to Mumbai. He faces charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation, the officer further said.

On April 21, Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of conspiring against her and Abhishek Banerjee and said that they "do not feel safe".

(with inputs from PTI)