Bengal govt to transfer police officers serving 3+ years in same post in line with ECI directive, ADGs given additional charge

The West Bengal Government has overhauled the police department in response to stringent directives from the Election Commission of India (ECI). As the state prepares for the upcoming Assembly elections, the government has decided to transfer all police officers who have completed three years or more in their current posting. This move aims to ensure institutional neutrality and prevent any localized influence during the high-stakes polling process.

According to the official notification, the transfer policy will not only target those stationed in one post for long durations but will also apply to officers currently deployed in their home districts. This directive extends down to the rank of Sub-Inspectors, ensuring a comprehensive reshuffle across the hierarchy. The administration is strictly adhering to the ECI guidelines dated December 21, 2023, and December 23, 2008, to maintain the sanctity of the democratic process.

To streamline supervision during this transition, the state has redistributed responsibilities among senior officials. The ADG and IGP of South Bengal will now oversee the Bidhannagar, Barrackpore, and Howrah Police Commissionerates. Similarly, the ADG and IGP of Western Zone have been assigned the Asansol-Durgapur and Chandannagar Commissionerates, while the IGP of North Bengal will take charge of the Siliguri Police Commissionerate along with their existing jurisdictions.

The Police Directorate has set a strict deadline of January 24, 2026, for all senior officials to submit Action Taken Reports (ATR) regarding these transfers. Senior officials believe that these changes are crucial for "area domination" and to build public confidence ahead of the elections. The reshuffle is expected to impact hundreds of officers, making it one of the largest administrative exercises in the state’s security apparatus in recent years.