The West Bengal government has made significant changes in senior positions within the police administration in preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections. A recent notification issued by the state administration announced the reshuffling. Rajeev Mishra is now the new Additional Director General (ADG) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) for South Bengal, while L.M. Meena has been appointed as the ADG and IGP of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Additionally, Mukesh, an IPS officer, has taken on the role of Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Intelligence Branch (IB).
Syed Waquar Raja has been designated as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Murshidabad Range, and Amarnath K has been appointed as the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Jalpaiguri district. Notably, Y. Raghuvanshi has assumed the position of Superintendent of Police in Krishnanagar, replacing Amarnath K. Amidst discussions on the timing and phases of the Assembly polls, these changes come into effect.
As per the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) instructions, officials who have held the same position for over three years are to be transferred. However, this directive exempts officials stationed at headquarters. The ECI’s mandate extends to district administration officials like Block Development Officers (BDOs), Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs), District Magistrates (DMs), and Additional District Magistrates (ADMs), who are to be relocated following the guidelines.
The transfer orders encompass police officials including Superintendents of Police (SPs), Additional Superintendents of Police, Inspector Generals of Police (IGs), and Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (DIGs). The Chief Secretary has been directed to ensure all transfers are completed by February 15. Furthermore, officers who held key roles during the previous Assembly elections are to be reassigned to different districts to maintain impartiality.
In response to the ECI’s directives, the West Bengal government executed a series of reshuffles within the police administration. State authorities clarified that these transfers were part of routine administrative procedures.
