Kalighat neighbours in shock after CID boots march into ex-CM’s home

Kolkata: Residents of Harish Chatterjee Road in Kalighat, which was a VVIP zone till May 4, were in for a “shocking surprise” as unusual scenes unfolded there on Tuesday afternoon. A 30-member CID team, accompanied by a large posse of cops and central force, marched into former chief minister and Trinamool chief Mamata Banerjee’s residence at 30B Harish Chatterjee Street.

Just a month ago, locals got back their free acess to the street for movement (it used to be a barricaded zone earlier when their “VVIP neighbour” was at the helm of the govt). On Tuesday, the sudden deployment of men in uniform transformed the neighbourhood into a centre of attention. Locals were found peering from balconies and windows while passers-by and bikers slowed down to enquire about what was happening.

Many locals, surprised by the heavy police deployment outside the former chief minister’s home, pulled out their mobile phones and began recording videos and making social media reels. They were more astonished at seeing Trinamool MLAs Madan Mitra and Kunal Ghosh sitting on chairs outside their party chief’s address. MP Kalyan Banerjee, who also lives in the same neighbourhood, walked to the spot amid the crowd.

“What has happened?” was the question repeatedly heard in the lane as curious onlookers gathered near the barricades put up in front of the search zone. As the CID team was leaving the spot, some locals followed them to know whether anything tumbled out after the search. However, the CID officials made their way amidst crowd silently.

Despite the security build-up, cops did not stop vehicular movement through the narrow lane, allowing traffic to continue under close monitoring.

An elderly neighbour of Mamata Banerjee said: “I have seen her rise from the grassroot level as I have been living here for nearly 60 years. After she became the CM, this area became a barricaded zone and we had to answer to cops’ queries after stepping out of home. Today, I witnessed the CID swooping down on her address. At a time when several members of her party are being handcuffed, we are all curious to know the outcome after this CID search.”

Some women, who are Trinamool supporters living in a nearby slum, alleged that their “Didi” was being harassed. “Why did they come for the search when she is not there at home? This is harassment,” said a woman.