Mamata Banerjee car attack: CM Adhikari pledges security if she informs police
Synopsis
A day after Mamata Banerjee's car was pelted with stones and shoes in Halisahar, West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari visited the same spot and pledged her security — with a pointed rider: she must inform the police first. The exchange lays bare the uneasy political dynamic between the state's ruling BJP and its most prominent opposition figure.
Key Takeaways
Mamata Banerjee's vehicle was attacked in Halisahar, North 24 Parganas on 9 August while she was visiting the family of deceased TMC worker Birju Keot .
It is alleged that shoes, mud, bricks, and stones were hurled at her car; Banerjee attributed the attack to BJP -backed miscreants.
CM Suvendu Adhikari assured adequate security on 10 August but said Banerjee must inform the police in advance before any visit.
Banerjee was accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen during the visit.
The incident has intensified political tensions between the BJP -led state government and the Trinamool Congress .
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday, 10 August assured that there would be no lapse in the security of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, but conditioned the guarantee on her informing the police in advance before travelling anywhere. The assurance came a day after Banerjee's vehicle was attacked in Halisahar, North 24 Parganas district, while she was en route to meet the family of a deceased Trinamool Congress worker.
The Attack on Sunday
On Sunday, 9 August, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee travelled to Kanchrapara to visit the family of deceased Trinamool Congress worker Birju Keot. She was accompanied by Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen. It is alleged that shoes and mud were hurled at her vehicle, and bricks and stones were also thrown at the car. Banerjee alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed miscreants were responsible, and claimed that had the car windows been open, she could have suffered a head injury or even lost her life.
What CM Adhikari Said
Chief Minister Adhikari visited the house of deceased Trinamool worker Birju Keot in Halisahar on Monday. Speaking to the media upon leaving, he said: 'You came yesterday without informing the police. There was public outrage. As soon as our MLA came to know about it, he took action by informing the police. My request is, from now on, wherever you go, inform the police on time. Tell the CP of Kolkata Police or the state DGP, whoever you like. If you don't like the DGP, tell someone else. Our police will take care of your security.'
He further stated: 'There is no negligence in security anywhere. What happened around you is the problem of the local police. And our MLA has handled the situation through the police after receiving the news. The police are not always in one place. They also need to be given some time. I request you to go wherever you want. But before that, inform the police in time. The police will arrange proper security as required.'
Political Backdrop
The incident has sharpened political tensions in West Bengal between the ruling BJP-led state government and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), now in opposition at the state level. Banerjee's visit to the family of a deceased TMC worker underscores the party's continued grassroots outreach, while the attack on her convoy has reignited a debate over the security protocols extended to former chief ministers. Notably, this is not the first time questions about Banerjee's security arrangements have surfaced since the change of government in the state.
What Happens Next
The exchange between Adhikari and Banerjee signals an uneasy political standoff over both security responsibility and political access in the state. Critics argue that placing the onus of advance police notification on the former Chief Minister effectively restricts her political movement. The state police's handling of the Halisahar incident is likely to face further scrutiny in the coming days.
Point of View
The optics of being told to seek prior permission before moving freely are unlikely to go uncontested. The BJP risks being seen as using security protocols as a tool of political containment, while TMC's counter-narrative of a 'targeted attack' will find ready traction among its base. How the state police handles the investigation into Sunday's incident will be the real test of institutional credibility here.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Mamata Banerjee's car in Halisahar?
On 9 August, Mamata Banerjee's vehicle was allegedly attacked in Halisahar, North 24 Parganas, while she was travelling to meet the family of deceased Trinamool Congress worker Birju Keot. It is alleged that shoes, mud, bricks, and stones were thrown at her car. Banerjee claimed she could have been seriously injured had the windows been open.
What did West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari say about Mamata Banerjee's security?
CM Adhikari assured on 10 August that there would be no negligence in Banerjee's security, but said she must inform the police in advance before travelling. He asked her to notify either the Commissioner of Kolkata Police or the state DGP so that proper arrangements can be made.
Who was with Mamata Banerjee during the Halisahar visit?
Mamata Banerjee was accompanied by Lok Sabha member Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha member Dola Sen when she travelled to Kanchrapara to visit the family of the deceased TMC worker.
Who did Mamata Banerjee blame for the attack on her car?
Mamata Banerjee alleged that BJP-backed miscreants were responsible for the attack on her vehicle in Halisahar on 9 August.
Why does the Halisahar incident matter politically?
The attack and the subsequent exchange between Adhikari and Banerjee highlight the fraught relationship between West Bengal's BJP-led state government and the Trinamool Congress in opposition. Critics argue that conditioning security on advance police notification restricts the former Chief Minister's political movement, raising broader questions about opposition rights in the state.
