The West Bengal government has lowered the security protection provided to former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly, who previously had Z-category security, will now receive Y-category protection. Z-category security involves around 35 personnel and a pilot vehicle, while Y-category security includes a smaller team of three to four personnel with two armed security officers for close protection.
This decision is part of security reviews initiated by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s government after recent assembly elections. The aim is to ensure enhanced security is allocated based on genuine threat perception. CM Adhikari emphasized allocating security resources according to assessed risks, leading to a comprehensive review of individuals receiving special protection under the previous administration.
The reassessment of security arrangements also impacted other prominent figures like Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The government withdrew additional security provided beyond his entitlement as a Member of Parliament. Similar revisions were made to the security covers of various TMC leaders, former ministers, and retired police officials following periodic assessments.
Sourav Ganguly now joins a list of notable personalities whose security details have been reevaluated as part of the state’s broader efforts to rationalize security personnel deployment.
