EC removes Beldanga IC after SDPO transfer; Ashutosh Rai appointed new station in-charge from Howrah

The Election Commission has carried out another major administrative reshuffle in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, removing the Inspector-in-Charge (IC) of Beldanga police station shortly after the transfer of its Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO). The move comes amid ongoing election-related monitoring and is part of wider security and administrative adjustments in the state.

According to official orders, Ashutosh Rai, previously posted at a police station in Howrah, has been appointed as the new IC of Beldanga. He has been instructed to assume charge by 8 PM on Tuesday and submit a report after taking over responsibilities. The state police have already issued the notification following directives from the Election Commission.

Earlier, the SDPO of Beldanga was also transferred as part of an administrative reshuffle. The officer previously holding that post, Animesh De, has now been replaced, continuing the sequence of changes in key policing positions in the region ahead of the elections.

The Beldanga area had recently witnessed tensions following the death of a migrant worker from Murshidabad, which escalated into unrest in the locality. The incident later became part of a broader legal and investigative process, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducting a probe under court supervision, while disputes over jurisdiction and investigation continue between state authorities and central agencies.

With elections underway, the Election Commission’s repeated transfers of key police officials are being seen as part of efforts to ensure neutrality and maintain law and order. The Commission has stated that such measures are necessary to ensure free and peaceful polling, while administrative changes continue across sensitive regions in the state.