Pictures by Bibhash Lodh/BS News Agency.
Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: Immediately following the political shift resulting from the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results, a major reshuffle has been implemented regarding the security arrangements for Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee. Although they continue to receive 'Z+' category protection, the Kolkata Police has, since the morning of Tuesday (May 5, 2026), relaxed several stringent security protocols surrounding them.
**Removal of Scissors Barricades:** The 'smart' or 'scissors barricades'—along with the blue-and-white guardrails—that had stood for nearly a decade in front of Mamata Banerjee's residence at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street in Kalighat have been removed. The police initiated this operation on Tuesday morning, acting under the directives of high-ranking officials.
**Unrestricted Public Movement:** After a long hiatus, this specific stretch of Harish Chatterjee Street has been fully reopened to the general public. Consequently, local residents and ordinary pedestrians entering the area are no longer required to produce identification cards (such as Aadhaar cards) or face rigorous questioning by security personnel.
**Removal of Advanced Gate:** Orders have also been issued to remove the automated—or 'advanced'—gate situated directly in front of Mamata Banerjee's residence and to install manual guardrails in its place.
**Abhishek Banerjee's Security:** The scaling back of special security measures and police deployment has not been limited to Mamata Banerjee alone; similar reductions have also been implemented in front of the office and residence of Trinamool's All-India General Secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, located on Camac Street.