West Bengal Assembly elections: Election Commission transfers heads of 173 police stations

India’s Election Commission has transferred officers-in-charge and inspectors-in-charge of 173 police stations across West Bengal, including 31 under Kolkata Police, to support free and fair Assembly elections. The reshuffle covers key constituencies such as Bhabanipur and Nandigram, and spans districts including Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, Howrah, and the 24 Parganas.

The Election Commission has moved officers in charge at 173 police stations across West Bengal. Officials said the step aims to support free and fair Assembly elections. The reshuffle included 31 police stations under Kolkata Police. Officers serving in sensitive seats, including Bhabanipur in Kolkata and Nandigram in Purba Medinipur, were part of the order.

Officials said the transfers covered inspectors and sub-inspectors working as ICs and OCs. Police stations in Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, and North and South 24 Parganas were included. The commission also shifted OCs from several key Kolkata stations as part of the same exercise.

Election Commission transfer of police stations in Kolkata and key seats

In Kolkata, the OCs of Alipore, Ekbalpore, Haridevpur, Entally, Jorasanko, Gariahat, Bhawanipore, New Market, Bowbazar, Tollygunge, Amherst Street, Taratala, and Behala were transferred. Officials said Bhabanipur was among the constituencies covered. The seat is expected to be closely watched during the election.

According to the order, Soumitra Basu, earlier posted with the Special Task Force STF, will take charge as IC of Bhabanipur police station. In Bhabanipur, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to face former protege-turned-rival Suvendu Adhikari. Officials said this contest has added attention to a seat Mamata Banerjee has held for years.

Election Commission transfer of police stations in Purba Medinipur

Several postings in Purba Medinipur were also changed, officials said. Debdulal Mondal has been posted as IC of Haldia, and Kajal Dutta to Kolaghat. Susanta Chattopadhyay moved from Alipurduar to Egra. Chandrakanta Shasmal has been posted as OC of Patashpur under the same transfer order.

In a related decision, the commission ordered the transfer of 14 block development officers BDOs in Purba Medinipur. Officials said the list included BDOs from Nandigram I and Nandigram II blocks. Poll body officials said such steps are meant to reduce local influence. Officials said the goal is neutrality in law enforcement.

Election Commission transfer of BDOs and assistant returning officers across districts

Earlier on the same day, the EC transferred 83 block development officers and assistant returning officers across 18 districts. Officials said the reshuffle covered blocks from Dinhata-II in Cooch Behar to Diamond Harbour-I and II in South 24 Parganas. Other blocks included Ramnagar, Nandigram-I and II, Nanoor, Labhpur, Suri-I, Mohammad Bazar, Ilambazar and Mayureswar-I.

Officials said districts affected by the transfers included Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, North and South Dinajpur, Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, and North and South 24 Parganas. The list also covered Howrah, Hooghly, East and West Midnapore, Purulia, Bankura, East and West Burdwan, and Birbhum. A senior poll official said New Delhi issued the directive.

The transfers came amid ongoing friction between the state government and the Centre. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has on multiple occasions alleged that such reshuffles are politically motivated. Elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases, on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.

With inputs from PTI