Election Commission Transfers 149 Police Officers Ahead of Bengal Assembly Polls
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Kolkata, April 10 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has mandated the transfer of 149 lower-tier police officers, including both Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors, from all election-related responsibilities in West Bengal.
Out of these 149 officers, 81 hold the rank of Inspector, while the remaining 68 are Sub-Inspectors.
According to sources from the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office in West Bengal, these officers have been assigned new roles.
A notification released by the Commission indicates that they must assume their new positions by 5 P.M. on Friday.
The district police superintendents will be responsible for executing this directive from the Commission.
The ECI has also stipulated that these officers are required to sign a bond confirming they will not interfere in the voting process, either directly or indirectly.
The two-phase Assembly elections in West Bengal are planned for April 23 and April 29. The first phase will cover 152 Assembly constituencies, while the second phase will address the remaining 142 constituencies. The results are set to be announced on May 4.
The Inspectors removed from election duties include individuals from various districts such as: two from Cooch Behar, four from Raiganj Police District, four from Islampur Police District, one from Alipurduar, three from South Dinajpur, two from Siliguri, three from Diamond Harbour Police District, two from Baruipur Police District, three from Barasat Police District, one from Basirhat Police District, one from Bangaon Police District, four from Barrackpore, six from Bidhannagar, four from Krishnanagar Police District, four from Ranaghat Police District, one from Asansol Durgapur, three from West Midnapore, five from East Midnapore, two from Purulia, two from Birbhum, one from Jalpaiguri, three from Malda, and one from Bankura.
As revealed by an insider from the CEO’s office, the transfers in West Bengal took place in three distinct phases. The initial phase involved high-ranking officials such as directors general and additional directors general.
The second phase focused on mid-level officers, including superintendents and deputy superintendents of police.
Finally, the last phase included the transfers of lower-ranked officers such as Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors.