Major administrative reshuffle targets key constituencies including Bhabanipur and Nandigram
The Election Commission of India on Sunday ordered the transfer of officers-in-charge and inspectors-in-charge of 173 police stations across West Bengal, including 31 under Kolkata Police, as part of measures to ensure free and fair Assembly elections, officials said.
The reshuffle includes officers posted in politically sensitive constituencies such as Bhabanipur in Kolkata and Nandigram in Purba Medinipur district.
Transfers also involved inspectors and sub-inspectors serving as ICs and OCs in several districts including Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, and North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas.
According to the order, Soumitra Basu, previously with the Special Task Force, will take charge as IC of Bhabanipur police station.
Transfers across multiple Kolkata police stations
Officials said the officers-in-charge of several key police stations in Kolkata were also transferred. These include Alipore, Ekbalpore, Haridevpur, Entally, Jorasanko, Gariahat, Bhabanipore, New Market, Bowbazar, Tollygunge, Amherst Street, Taratala, and Behala.
Among the new postings:
- Debdulal Mondal has been posted as IC of Haldia
- Kajal Dutta will take charge at Kolaghat
- Susanta Chattopadhyay has been moved from Alipurduar to Egra
- Chandrakanta Shasmal has been posted as OC of Patashpur
- BDO transfers also ordered
In a parallel move, the Election Commission ordered the transfer of 14 block development officers (BDOs) in Purba Medinipur, including those in Nandigram I and Nandigram II blocks.
Earlier in the day, the poll body also ordered the transfer of 83 block development officers and assistant returning officers across 18 districts.
Officials said the reshuffle covers blocks ranging from Dinhata-II in Cooch Behar to Diamond Harbour-I and II in South 24 Parganas, along with Ramnagar, Nandigram-I and II, Nanoor, Labhpur, Suri-I, Mohammad Bazar, Ilambazar and Mayureswar-I.
Aim is neutrality in administration
Poll body officials said such large-scale transfers are intended to ensure neutrality in law enforcement and administration during elections, reducing the influence of local networks and creating a level playing field for political parties.
The directive was issued by the commission from its New Delhi office, a senior election official said.
High-stakes Bhabanipur battle
The Bhabanipur Assembly seat is expected to witness an intense contest, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee facing her former protégé-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari.
The seat, considered a long-standing stronghold of Banerjee, has become one of the most closely watched constituencies in the upcoming polls.
Elections to the 294-member West Bengal Legislative Assembly will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
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