Bengal Police transfers 49 officers from key posts on EC directive, barred from election duties | Check list

In a significant administrative move ahead of the elections, the West Bengal Police has transferred 49 Sub-Inspectors and Inspectors from their posts as Officer-in-Charge across multiple districts following directives from the Election Commission of India. The action comes after an earlier transfer of 150 officers, of whom several had been posted in key police station roles. Authorities have now ordered that these officers be shifted out of their existing districts and assigned to positions not connected to election duties in any form.

The directive further mandates that all affected officers must submit a formal undertaking stating that they will not interfere, directly or indirectly, with the ongoing election process. The reshuffle spans across North Bengal, South Bengal, and Western zones, covering districts such as Coochbehar, Darjeeling, Malda, Murshidabad, Howrah Rural, Birbhum, Purulia, and Asansol-Durgapur. Senior police leadership, including ADGs and IGs, have been tasked with executing the transfers in coordination with district-level officials.

Officials have been instructed to complete all movements by April 10, with a compliance report to be submitted to police headquarters. The move is aimed at ensuring neutrality and preventing any potential influence on the electoral process, as authorities intensify administrative measures to maintain free and fair elections across the state.