West Bengal Government Deploys Special Police Contingent to Delhi's Banga Bhavan
In a significant development that marks an escalation in the ongoing tensions between the West Bengal government and the Centre, the Mamata Banerjee-led administration has dispatched a special state police team to New Delhi to take over security duties at Banga Bhavan, the state's primary guest house in the national capital.
Allegations of Surveillance and Federal Overreach
The move comes directly in response to serious allegations made by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who accused the Delhi Police of engaging in "surveillance" and "over-activity" since her arrival in Delhi on Sunday. Banerjee claimed that state representatives' movements were being monitored by central agencies in a manner that violates India's federal structure and goes against the constitutional spirit.
"This surveillance on representatives of an elected state government is against the spirit of the Constitution," stated an official familiar with the matter, highlighting the gravity of the concerns raised by the West Bengal administration.
Deployment Details and Security Mandate
On Monday night, a 22-member tactical team from the West Bengal Police arrived at Delhi airport and immediately proceeded to Banga Bhavan. The deployment, sanctioned by Nabanna (the state Secretariat), represents a rare instance of a state police force being mobilized to secure its premises within the jurisdiction of the Delhi Police.
The special contingent includes:
- 22 officers and jawans from the RAF Second Battalion
- A significant portion of women police personnel
- A deputy superintendent of police (DSP)
- An inspector-ranked officer
The team is operating under the direct instructions of newly appointed Director General of State Police, Piyush Pandey, who is currently stationed in Delhi. According to Nabanna officials, the force has been specifically tasked with:
- Internal security of Banga Bhavan
- Gate control and access management
- Ensuring the safety of personnel currently in Delhi for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the West Bengal electoral roll
Political Context and Opposition Reaction
The decision was reportedly triggered by Chief Minister Banerjee's direct confrontation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the alleged surveillance activities. While the Bengal government maintains this is a non-confrontational measure aimed solely at ensuring the safety of its personnel and premises, the political opposition has reacted strongly.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticized the move, characterizing it as a deliberate attempt to intensify the centre-state conflict and challenge the authority of the Delhi Police. This development occurs against the backdrop of the Special Intensive Revision of West Bengal's electoral roll, adding another layer of political significance to the security deployment.
The deployment of state police forces to secure premises in another jurisdiction represents an unusual step in India's federal structure, highlighting the deepening tensions between the West Bengal government and central authorities over issues of jurisdiction, security, and political autonomy.
