Abhishek Banerjee Flags Security Concerns After Spotting Armed Man At Airport

Trinamool Congress national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday raised concerns over airport security after alleging that an armed individual was detained at Kolkata Airport shortly after his arrival from New Delhi the previous night. The incident, he said, has prompted serious questions about safety and the circumstances surrounding the presence of an armed person at a high-security public facility.

In a post on social media platform X, Banerjee described the episode as “shocking” and suggested that it warranted a thorough investigation. “Last night at Kolkata Airport, shortly after I landed from Delhi, a shocking incident took place. Armed individuals were apprehended, leading to serious questions about security and the lengths to which some are willing to go,” he wrote. The TMC leader also shared a video that appeared to show a man holding a pistol.

The allegations gained further political attention after senior Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien claimed that a person carrying a firearm was seen near the airport exit when he and Banerjee were leaving the premises. O'Brien alleged that the individual was a supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), although no official confirmation regarding the person's political affiliation has been made by authorities.

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Banerjee had returned to Kolkata after meeting Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in New Delhi on Friday. During the meeting, he reportedly raised objections to developments involving rebel Trinamool Congress MPs and their reported merger with the Tripura-based National Citizens' Party of India (NCPI). The airport incident therefore occurred against the backdrop of heightened political tensions within the party.

As of Saturday, officials had not publicly released detailed information regarding the identity of the detained individual, the nature of the weapon allegedly recovered, or whether any charges had been filed. The absence of an official statement has fuelled speculation and prompted calls from opposition leaders for greater clarity on the incident. The episode has triggered a political war of words in West Bengal, with the Trinamool Congress demanding answers on security protocols at one of the state's busiest transport hubs.

Security at airports is subject to strict regulations and multiple layers of screening, making allegations involving an armed individual particularly significant. Authorities are expected to examine surveillance footage, security records and witness accounts to establish the facts surrounding the incident and determine whether there was any threat to public safety or political leaders present at the airport.

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