Kolkata Police Imposes Two-Month Prohibitory Order Around Abhishek Banerjee’s Residence After Late-Night Clashes

The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, came into effect on Saturday morning and will remain in force for two months, a city police official confirmed.

The restrictions prohibit the assembly of people in the designated area around the residence of the Diamond Harbour MP.

Restrictions cover key roads around Kalighat residence

The area covered by the prohibitory order extends from Kalighat Bridge towards Balaram Bose Ghat Road, Harish Mukherjee Road and Hazra Road.

Police have also intensified surveillance in the neighbourhood to prevent gatherings outside Banerjee’s residence and avert further tension.

The restrictions follow clashes between BJP and Trinamool supporters during the early hours of Saturday, when Banerjee was celebrating his 39th birthday.

Clashes erupt between BJP and Trinamool supporters

According to accounts of the incident, tensions escalated between approximately 2.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m. after an altercation between supporters of the two parties.

Trinamool supporters alleged that BJP workers arrived near Banerjee’s residence around 2.30 a.m. and raised slogans calling him a thief. They further claimed that birthday banners, cutouts and photographs of the MP were torn down.

An argument reportedly followed when Trinamool supporters attempted to intervene, eventually escalating into scuffles and stone-pelting.

Banerjee alleged that there was an attempt on his life and accused BJP supporters of vandalising a nearby Trinamool party office.

Police sources said several people from both sides were injured. A large police contingent reached the spot after receiving information about the clashes and resorted to baton charges to disperse the rival groups.

Banerjee stages sit-in, accuses BJP and police

Following the incident, Banerjee staged a sit-in protest outside his residence. When police personnel on duty asked him and his supporters to move away to prevent further escalation, an argument reportedly broke out between the MP and the officers.

Banerjee eventually returned inside his residence at around 6.30 a.m. on Saturday following police intervention.

In a subsequent social media statement, he accused BJP supporters of carrying out a planned attack after conducting reconnaissance around his residence for two days.

He also claimed that the incident was the seventh attempt on his life in the past six months and criticised the police and judiciary for what he described as their failure to act.

Banerjee shared photographs and a video of the clashes alongside his statement.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had not issued a public statement on the incident at the time of the report.

The police have stepped up security in the area as the investigation into the clashes continues.