Sanchita Chatterjee, BS News Agency: The Commission has issued directives to suspend several police officers in Diamond Harbour and to initiate departmental disciplinary proceedings against them. These suspensions of multiple Diamond Harbour police officials have taken place just ahead of the second phase of the elections. The Commission has written to the Chief Secretary, instructing him to carry out the suspensions and commence the departmental disciplinary process. Who exactly has been suspended?
Suspended: Sandeep Garai, Additional Superintendent of Police, Diamond Harbour
Suspended: Sajal Mandal, SDPO (Sub-Divisional Police Officer), Diamond Harbour
Suspended: Mousam Chakraborty, IC (Inspector-in-Charge), Diamond Harbour Police Station
Suspended: Ajay Bag, IC, Falta Police Station
Suspended: Shubhechha Bag, OC (Officer-in-Charge), Usthi Police Station
The Commission has also issued a warning to Ishani Pal, the Superintendent of Police of Diamond Harbour. Allegations have been leveled against her regarding a failure to maintain control over her subordinate officers. The Election Commission has stated that these directives must be implemented by the end of today.
Experts consider such a high-level administrative reshuffle—occurring just before the second phase of voting—to be an event of immense significance in the administrative history of the state. It has been reported that the Commission has already dispatched the necessary directives to the Government of West Bengal. Additionally, instructions have been issued to submit a detailed report regarding this matter by 11:00 AM on April 25. Separately, the Election Commission issued yet another directive earlier today.
What did Suvendu Adhikari say?
"This decision was essential for the preservation of democracy." This was the reaction of Suvendu Adhikari regarding the Commission's decision to suspend multiple police officers in Diamond Harbour.
Notably, prior to the first phase of voting, the Election Commission had already carried out another reshuffle within the State Police force. Following their removal from election-related duties, 81 police inspectors were subsequently transferred and posted to different districts. The Election Commission issued strict directives to ensure that these officers would, under no circumstances, be involved in any election-related activities. Furthermore, 49 Sub-Inspectors were also transferred out of their respective districts and posted elsewhere. To maintain law and order within the state, the Election Commission held a virtual meeting on Friday with all Superintendents of Police and Police Commissioners. Police Observers were also present at this meeting convened by the Commission.
According to sources within the Commission, clear directives were issued during the meeting: 72 hours prior to the polls, notorious criminals in the respective areas—specifically those with criminal records who pose a potential threat of causing unrest or disruption during the election—must be identified and detained in jail or police lock-ups. Instructions were also issued to take strict action against such habitual offenders.
Commission sources further revealed that, during Friday's meeting, Officers-in-Charge (OCs) of all police stations and Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) were instructed to compile and maintain lists of such criminals. These individuals are to be summoned to the police stations and issued a stern warning. The Election Commission has directed that if anyone fails to comply with these guidelines even after being warned, legal action must be initiated against them, and they are to be placed in police lock-ups.