Heavy security remained in place outside former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's Kalighat residence on Monday, as the opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged the deployment was meant to prevent her from visiting the family of an 11-year-old girl allegedly raped and murdered in Baruipur.
The BJP dismissed the charge, saying the presence of state police and central forces was part of routine security arrangements for a Z-plus protectee.
Police personnel, central forces and multiple vehicles continued to be stationed around the lane leading to Banerjee's residence after being deployed on Sunday night, prompting TMC leaders to question the scale of the security cover.
Senior TMC leaders claimed the deployment was intended to stop Banerjee from travelling to Baruipur in South 24 Parganas, where tensions have escalated following the recovery of the girl's body and subsequent violence.
"The heavy deployment has continued since last night. It is clearly aimed at preventing Mamata Banerjee from visiting Baruipur and meeting the bereaved family," a senior TMC leader said.
The allegations were first raised on Sunday night by TMC leaders, including MLA Kunal Ghosh and Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien, who questioned the presence of police vehicles and barricades outside Banerjee's residence. The party termed the move an attempt to intimidate the opposition and restrict the movement of its leaders.
Rejecting the allegations, minister Dilip Ghosh said Banerjee had no reason to be concerned about the security arrangements.
"She is scared of eggs being hurled at her; that is why police have been deployed outside her residence," Ghosh told reporters.
Referring to the Baruipur case, he said police had acted swiftly and assured that those responsible would be brought to justice.
The controversy comes amid widespread outrage over the death of the 11-year-old girl, whose body was found stuffed inside a sack in Baruipur's Surjyapur Haat area on Sunday, a day after she went missing.
The discovery triggered protests, with locals blocking roads, burning tyres and vandalising police vehicles while demanding immediate action. The unrest later turned violent when a mob allegedly lynched a man accused of involvement in the crime.
Police have arrested four people in connection with the girl's death and said the investigation is ongoing.
(With inputs from PTI)