Kolkata, 12 November (H.S.) : The Kolkata Municipal Corporation took major action outside the Kalighat residence of Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday morning. A temporary bamboo structure built on the footpath outside the MP's house at 121 Kalighat Road was demolished using a bulldozer.

Along with this structure, an iron gate installed by encroaching on the footpath outside the main entrance of the boundary wall was also cut and removed using gas cutters. It is alleged that this gate was installed by illegally occupying the pavement.

To deal with any potential protests or law and order situations during the demolition drive, a large contingent of police and central armed police forces was deployed outside the MP's residence. The operation remained peaceful, and KMC workers completely cleared the footpath by removing the bamboo and other debris.

The matter had been embroiled in controversy for the past few days. Local residents had complained that pedestrians were facing difficulties in movement due to the shed and gate on the footpath. During Abhishek Banerjee's birthday celebrations last Friday night, a massive crowd had gathered under this shed, creating a tense situation in the area.

Police had arrived at Banerjee's residence on Wednesday evening as well to remove the shed. However, staff members from his office had started dismantling the temporary structure themselves. Kalighat TMC spokesperson Arka Nag clarified on Wednesday evening that the shed was constructed by the state Directorate of Security for police personnel when Banerjee was accorded Z-plus security cover.

Nag claimed that following the change of government in the state, Banerjee's additional security was withdrawn, eliminating the need for the shed. He had stated that the police themselves had built the shed and since the extra security has been removed, arrangements were being made on behalf of Abhishek Banerjee to dismantle it.

However, the shed was not entirely removed by Thursday morning, after which the municipal corporation team arrived with a bulldozer, demolished it, and freed the footpath from encroachment.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday afternoon, Abhishek Banerjee posted a video on his social media account levelling serious allegations against the police. He claimed that the police were conducting surveillance outside his house using vehicles.

No official response has been issued by the Kalighat TMC or Abhishek Banerjee regarding this entire operation so far.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh