Woman carrying knife detained after approaching Mamata Banerjee in Kolkata

A woman carrying a knife was detained after allegedly attempting to approach former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in a threatening manner while she was on her way to inaugurate a Durga Puja pandal near her residence in Kolkata yesterday (13 October).

A senior police officer said the woman was being questioned and investigators were reviewing video footage of the incident.

According to a complaint filed by Dola Sen, a leader of the Mamata-led faction of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), the incident occurred around 6pm when Banerjee visited the Milan Sangha Puja pandal in the Kalighat area of south Kolkata. Banerjee has the highest category of Z+ security.

The complaint alleged that the woman, who was carrying a knife, hurled abuses and tried to approach Banerjee aggressively while appearing to be intoxicated. It also claimed that the woman was known in the locality as a civic volunteer and a drug addict.

According to Dola, the woman claimed to be Banerjee's niece and lay on the road, creating a scene while attempting to approach the TMC supremo.

Dola expressed concern that someone allegedly carrying a weapon could approach Banerjee's residence. She urged police to examine photographs and video footage submitted with the complaint and take appropriate legal action.

She also asked authorities to take cognisance of the matter under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which governs the recording of information by police concerning cognisable offences.

"We are questioning the woman and trying to understand the reason behind her behaviour. We are also reviewing the video footage of the incident. Witnesses will also be spoken to," the police officer said.

Saket Gokhale, another leader of the Mamata-led TMC faction, described the incident as "shocking news" and said, "This is the condition in Bengal where even a Z+ protectee and three-time chief minister is not safe."