Overview
- Banerjee said on June 6 that reports he sought Central Armed Police Forces protection after the May 30th Sonarpur incident are “entirely baseless” and that he had not requested any central cover in the seven days after the attack.
- The May 30th visit to Sonarpur drew a hostile local response during which eggs, shoes and stones were reported to have been hurled at Banerjee while he met families of post-poll violence victims.
- The narrative that Banerjee sought CAPF or other central forces originated with remarks by expelled TMC legislator Ritabrata Banerjee and was amplified by several media outlets in early June.
- A video Banerjee shared that he said showed a separate alleged assault and a forced jump has been reported by outlets but remains unverified by independent reporting.
- Banerjee used his denial to demand answers from both the West Bengal state government and central security agencies about public safety, a move that ties the episode to broader post-election tensions and questions about protections for citizens and leaders.