Kolkata, 21 May (H.S.) : Former Trinamool Congress leader Kaizer Ahamed has approached the police seeking protection after alleging that unidentified armed men were seen conducting surveillance near his residence in Bhangar.

According to Kaizer, two unidentified persons were spotted moving suspiciously outside his house on Wednesday. He claimed that both individuals were carrying weapons and may have been surveying the area with the intention of attacking him.

A written complaint has been lodged at Bhangar Police Station, where Kaizer also requested security for himself and his family.

Speaking to reporters, Kaizer alleged that the two men were roaming around his residence between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. He said he usually leaves home around that time but had gone out earlier at around 8:30 a.m. on the day of the incident. After returning home, he reportedly checked CCTV footage and noticed the suspicious movements of the two individuals before informing the police.

The political rivalry between Kaizer and senior TMC leader Sawkat Molla has been well known in the region. Kaizer, who has long claimed to have been sidelined within the Trinamool Congress, had openly campaigned against Sawkat during the recent Assembly elections. He was also seen participating in a victory procession of the Indian Secular Front after the polls.

Although Kaizer has not formally resigned from the Trinamool Congress, he stated that he has had no association with the party since 2023. He alleged that his support for ISF leader Nawsad Siddique during the election may have triggered hostility against him.

He further claimed that some anti-social elements were allegedly carrying out violence in Bhangar in the name of the ISF after the elections and that he had publicly spoken against them. According to Kaizer, these developments could also be linked to the alleged threat against him.

This is not the first time Kaizer has approached the police over security concerns. In February this year, ahead of the elections, he had lodged a similar complaint alleging threat to his life. At that time, he had directly accused Sawkat Molla of plotting to eliminate him by hiring contract killers.

Kaizer has submitted CCTV footage from Wednesday to the police and claimed that the suspicious activities of the two unidentified men were clearly visible in the recordings. He also informed the police that he had received death threats on multiple occasions in the past and that his residence had previously been attacked.

He has urged the police to identify the accused persons, investigate whether the latest incident is linked to past threats, and increase police patrolling and surveillance around his residence to ensure the safety of his family.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh