Mamata Banerjee knife attack bid alleged in Kolkata as police detain woman

Security protocols around former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's residence in south Kolkata's Kalighat came under immediate scrutiny on Tuesday evening after an altercation broke out as she stepped out of her house, prompting party leaders to allege an attempted knife attack.

Kolkata Police detained a woman identified in official statements as 38-year-old Anusua Saha. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders submitted a formal complaint under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at the Kalighat police station, alleging that an intruder carrying a concealed weapon had breached the outer perimeter.

What happened outside the residence

The incident took place at around 6:00 pm on Tuesday as Banerjee walked out of her home to inaugurate a neighbourhood Durga Puja pandal. According to eyewitness accounts from party workers, a woman attempted to enter the security cordon while shouting that Banerjee was her paternal aunt.

After security personnel and party aides stopped her, the woman reportedly lay down on the road and began hurling abuse. TMC workers present at the spot intervened, overpowered her, and handed her over to on-duty police personnel. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen said the woman was intoxicated and was seen carrying a knife tucked into her clothing.

Kolkata Police confirmed the detention shortly after the incident. In an official statement, police said an altercation had taken place as the former chief minister exited her house, leading duty officers to take the woman into custody immediately. While police identified the detained individual as Anusua Saha, the written complaint filed by Sen named the woman as Tannishtha Saha and described her as a civic volunteer.

Political reaction and security arrangements

The episode triggered immediate political friction. TMC national spokesperson Nilanjan Das and MP Saket Gokhale voiced concerns over perimeter security for a Z-plus category protectee, questioning the oversight of outer cordons during major public gatherings.

The altercation also followed demonstrations earlier in the day in Kolkata's Rajabazar area, where TMC workers had gathered following disputes regarding administrative permissions for festive season rallies. Law enforcement agencies in the city maintain strict deployment schedules across central and south Kolkata during Durga Puja, when high-density crowds and VIP movements place significant logistical demands on police personnel.

Police officials said officers are questioning the detained woman to verify her background, identity, and motives, while reviewing access-control checkpoints around the Kalighat high-security zone to ensure public safety and VIP protection remain uncompromised throughout the festival.