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Major WB Police Reshuffle: 26 Officers Transferred Ahead of Crucial Elections

The West Bengal government has announced a significant reshuffle involving 26 senior police officers ahead of the upcoming state Assembly elections. The transfers predominantly affect Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, with key changes in the Midnapore Range, a politically sensitive jurisdiction. The government has termed it a routine administrative procedure in the public interest. This move continues a trend of police reassignments in the state in the run-up to the crucial polls.

Key Points: West Bengal Police Reshuffle Ahead of Assembly Elections

  • 26 senior officers transferred
  • 23 are IPS officers
  • Midnapore Range DIG changed
  • Pre-election administrative move
  • Includes Kolkata & other commissionerates
2 min read

Major reshuffle in West Bengal Police ahead of upcoming Assembly elections

West Bengal govt transfers 26 senior police officers in a major pre-election reshuffle. Key postings in Midnapore Range changed.

"The state government had described the transfer as a routine transfer and made in the interest of public services. - Official Notification"

Kolkata, Jan 5

The West Bengal Government on Monday announced a massive reshuffle in the state police ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.

According to a notification issued by the West Bengal Police Directorate, as many as 26 senior police officials, both of the Indian Police Service (IPS) and West Bengal Police Service (WBPS), have been shifted.

However, the maximum of the transferred officials -- 23 -- are of the IPS, while the remaining are of the state police service.

Three of the 26 police officers who had been transferred are of the rank of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, while six are in the Superintendent or Deputy Commissioner or Commandant ranks, and the rest are of the Additional Superintendent rank.

The significant change was the DIG of the Midnapore Range, with the incumbent, Anup Jaiswal, being transferred as the DIG of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Arijit Sinha replaces Jaiswal in the Midnapore Range. Incidentally, East Midnapore, which is the native district of the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, comes under the jurisdiction of the Midnapore Range.

Kalimpong's Superintendent of Police, Srihari Pandey, had been promoted as DIG, Intelligence Branch, for North Bengal. The state government had described the transfer as a routine transfer and made in the interest of public services.

However, the fresh transfer does not include any change in the existing district Superintendent of Police.

For the last few months, there have been several changes and transfers of senior police officials in the state, keeping in mind the crucial Assembly elections in the state scheduled later this year. There have also been changes in the ranks of junior-level officials like Deputy Superintendents of Police, Sub-Divisional Police Officers, Inspectors, and Sub-Inspectors of police.

The transfer includes state police, Kolkata Police, and other Police Commisionerates in the state.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Calling it a "routine transfer" when 26 senior officers are moved just before elections is a bit hard to believe. While administrative reshuffles are necessary, the timing raises questions about political influence over the police force.
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Priya S
As a resident of Kolkata, I just hope this leads to better law and order. The last thing we need during elections is violence and political clashes. The police should be impartial and focus on citizen safety above all. 🙏
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Vikram M
Good to see promotions like Srihari Pandey's. Recognising good work is important. But the sheer number of IPS officers transferred (23 out of 26) shows where the real focus is. Hope the new postings bring fresh energy and integrity.
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Rohit P
This happens before every election in every state. It's an open secret that governments try to place "favorable" officers in key positions. The real test is whether the Election Commission will step in to ensure a level playing field.
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Kavya N
My uncle is in the state police service. He says these large-scale transfers create a lot of uncertainty for the families involved, especially with school sessions ongoing. The human cost is often ignored in these "administrative" decisions.

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