Kolkata, 20 February (H.S.) : The West Bengal government on Thursday night issued a notification effecting a fresh reshuffle of Indian Police Service (IPS) officers in several politically sensitive districts, ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections.

According to the notification released by the state Home Department, four senior IPS officers have been transferred in the “public interest” and directed to assume charge of their new assignments with immediate effect until further orders.

The reshuffle involves changes in the posts of Superintendents of Police (SPs) in key districts across north and south Bengal, which are considered electorally significant.

As per the order, Khandbahale Umesh Ganapath, who was serving as Superintendent of Police of Alipurduar district, has been transferred and appointed as Superintendent of Police, Intelligence Branch (IB), North Bengal. Arish Bilal, previously posted as Superintendent of Police in the Intelligence Branch of the state police, has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police of Basirhat Police District.

Dr Hossain Mehedi Rahman, the outgoing Superintendent of Police of Basirhat Police District, has been transferred to Jangipur Police District in Murshidabad. Meanwhile, Shaw Kumar Amit, who was serving as Superintendent of Police of Jangipur Police District, has been appointed as the new Superintendent of Police of Alipurduar district in north Bengal.

Government sources indicated that such administrative reshuffles are routinely undertaken ahead of major elections to ensure effective law and order management and facilitate free and fair polling. Basirhat, Jangipur, and Alipurduar are regarded as politically sensitive districts, making administrative positioning in these areas particularly significant in the run-up to elections.

Alipurduar in north Bengal and Jangipur in Murshidabad district, which has a substantial minority population, are expected to be crucial constituencies in the upcoming Assembly polls.

As per established norms, once the Election Commission of India announces the election schedule and the Model Code of Conduct comes into force, the police and civil administration come under the direct supervision of the Commission, and the state government’s authority to transfer officials becomes restricted.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh