Mamata accuses Delhi Police of harassing Bengalis

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Delhi Police on Monday were engaged in claims and denial, with the former alleging harassment of Bengalis and the latter firmly rejecting the accusation.

Refuting Banerjee’s allegations, Special Commissioner of Police (Perception Management and Media Cell) Devesh Chandra Srivastav said no Delhi Police personnel entered the Banga Bhawan, and no restrictions were imposed on anyone staying there.

“We did not stop anyone from entering or exiting Banga Bhawan. Deployment outside the premises was purely a security measure as the West Bengal Chief Minister is provided Z-plus category security in Delhi,” Srivastav said while addressing a press conference.

Delhi Police clarified that as per established protocol, the responsibility of providing security to Z-plus protectees in the National Capital Territory rests with Delhi Police. Officials said the West Bengal Police had informed Delhi Police in advance about Banerjee’s visit, following which necessary security and law-and-order arrangements were put in place at Banga Bhawan, located in the Chanakyapuri and Hailey Road area of central Delhi.

Police officials said the security arrangements also included deployment of personnel from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), which is a routine practice adopted throughout the year for VVIP movements and sensitive situations. These deployments, police said, were standard in nature and should not be construed as harassment or targeted action against any group or community. Responding to allegations of harassment of Bengalis, Delhi Police said there was no instance of police questioning residents or guests inside the premises.

“At no point was the movement of residents or visitors restricted,” an officer said, adding that no complaint of any untoward incident or security lapse had been received from the West Bengal Police.

Police further stated that they had specific information that around 150 to 200 supporters of a political party had arrived from West Bengal and were staying at multiple locations across Delhi, including South Delhi, New Delhi, and Central Delhi.

There was also intelligence input that VVIPs and senior political leaders could visit these locations.

Based on this, precautionary security deployments were made at guest houses and hotels, officials said.

Delhi Police also pointed out that the Budget Session of Parliament is currently underway, requiring heightened security arrangements across the city, particularly in and around Parliament House and other sensitive zones. As part of this broader security grid, routine verification and checking of hotels, guest houses and individuals is carried out across the Capital as per prescribed procedures.

Officials stressed that these checks are conducted uniformly to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of all visitors. “These measures are precautionary and part of a larger security framework.

They are not directed against any state, community or political party,” a senior police officer said.

The police said they remain in constant coordination with the West Bengal Police regarding Banerjee’s visit and security arrangements. “There has been no report of any unpleasant incident or breach during the visit,” officials said.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee alleged that people from West Bengal had come to Delhi to raise their grievances over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls but were being “threatened”. Questioning the heavy police deployment outside Banga Bhawan, she said she did not blame the police but “those who are on the top”, referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Banerjee, who arrived in Delhi on Sunday, is scheduled to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on the SIR issue. Around 50 families affected by the revision exercise have been brought to Delhi and are staying at properties of the West Bengal Government, including Banga Bhawan. Some of these families were taken to the Election Commission on Monday.

Amid high drama, Banerjee confronted police personnel outside Banga Bhawan, urging them to be sensitive towards the affected families.

Trinamool Congress MPs also alleged intimidation at different locations and raised the issue in Parliament, while Delhi Police maintained that all actions were strictly in line with security protocol.