Murshidabad Unrest: Transfer of Two Senior Police Officials
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Synopsis
On April 25, the West Bengal government replaced police superintendents in Murshidabad following recent communal unrest linked to protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, facing criticism for their delayed response to intelligence on potential violence.
Key Takeaways
- Two police superintendents in Murshidabad were transferred.
- Surya Pratap Yadav reassigned to Narayani Battalion.
- Kumar Sunny Raj appointed as new Murshidabad superintendent.
- Ananda Roy moved to Eastern Frontier Rifles.
- Amit Kumar Shaw takes over Jangipur Police district.
- Criticism of police response to communal violence.
- Governor C.V. Ananda Bose expressed concerns.
- National Commission for Women highlighted negligence.
- Transfers labeled as routine by the government.
- Intelligence warnings about potential violence were ignored.
Kolkata, April 25 (NationPress) The government of West Bengal declared on Friday the transfer of the police superintendents overseeing the two police districts in the minority-majority Murshidabad area. This decision comes in the wake of significant communal unrest earlier this month triggered by violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Murshidabad district comprises two distinct police districts: Murshidabad and Jangipur, each led by an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in the role of superintendent.
According to a notification issued by the state government on Friday evening, which is available to IANS, the previous superintendent of Murshidabad Police, Surya Pratap Yadav, has been reassigned to a less prominent position as the commanding officer of the Narayani Battalion in Cooch Behar district.
Yadav's successor is Kumar Sunny Raj, who previously served as the superintendent of the Ranaghat Police district in Nadia.
Moreover, the state government also announced the replacement of Ananda Roy, the former superintendent of Jangipur Police district, who will now serve in a lesser role as the commanding officer of the third battalion of the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR) stationed in Salua, West Midnapore district.
Roy has been succeeded by Amit Kumar Shaw, who previously held the position of deputy commissioner (traffic) in Kolkata Police.
Officially, the transfers have been characterized by the state government as part of a routine reassignment.
Both police districts in Murshidabad faced intense criticism for their delayed response in curbing the communal violence, having overlooked early intelligence reports indicating potential unrest.
West Bengal's Governor C.V. Ananda Bose also criticized the state police's handling of the situation.
Additionally, the National Commission for Women issued a statement on Friday, pointing out the negligence of the West Bengal government in taking preventive measures against the communal violence, despite receiving ample prior intelligence.
