Major Police Reshuffle in Kolkata Ahead of Assembly Elections
Kolkata Police Undergoes Significant Changes
Kolkata: In preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated a transfer of several Officers-in-Charge (OCs) from various police stations in Kolkata, as confirmed by an official on Sunday.
Hirak Dalpati, previously overseeing the Park Street police station, has been reassigned to the Intelligence Department. Neelkanth Roy from the Detective Department at Lalbazar will now take over as the new OC at Park Street.
Additionally, Raj Kumar Mishra, who served as the Additional OC at Shyampukur police station, has been moved to Gariahat police station. Meanwhile, Manish Singh, formerly the Additional OC at Entali police station, has been appointed to lead the Vijayganj Bazar police station. Manoj Dutta has been recalled from the STF and assigned as the new OC for Chetla police station.
The ECI's actions come as part of a broader strategy to transfer bureaucrats and police personnel ahead of the two-phase elections in the state, marking a significant reshuffle within the Kolkata Police.
Orders numbered 181 and 182 have facilitated the transfer of several inspectors, resulting in the removal of OCs from key police stations, redirecting them to departments such as the Detective Department, STF, or Special Branch. For instance, Amitabh Sarkar, the OC of Chetla Police Station, has been reassigned to the STF.
There have also been mutual transfers involving the OCs of Hare Street and Thakurpukur police stations, with Lopsang Tshering Bhutia and Rajiv Sahu swapping positions.
This directive has introduced some modifications and updates to previous orders numbered 174 and 175 issued on March 29.
Tensions had previously escalated in Bhabanipur during a roadshow for BJP candidate Suvendu Adhikari, which was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Following this incident, the Election Commission instructed the state Chief Secretary to take necessary actions regarding the disruption, leading to the suspension of four police officers. Consequently, the Commission mandated that new responsibilities be assigned to these positions promptly, resulting in the swift change of OCs at six Kolkata police stations within a day.