Kolkata, 18 March (H.S.): Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Kolkata Police have taken several key measures to further strengthen the city’s security arrangements. As part of this initiative, a special election cell has been constituted following directives from Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand.

According to an order issued on Wednesday, Additional Commissioner of Police (I) Devendra Prakash Singh has been given overall charge of the Kolkata Police election cell. A senior police officer said the responsibility has been assigned with immediate effect following a partial modification of an earlier order.

As per the notification, the Lalbazar headquarters has also constituted a special team to assist Singh in discharging his responsibilities.

The team includes Additional Commissioner of Police (IV) Santosh Pandey, Joint Commissioner of Police (Organisation) Ajay Prasad, Deputy Commissioner (Cyber) Abhishek Modi, Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police Second Battalion Anirban Sarkar, and Deputy Commissioner of the Special Branch (Intelligence Department) Vidit Raj Bhundesh.

Police sources said the team will play a crucial role in strengthening the city’s security framework ahead of the elections. The primary objective of the initiative is to enhance surveillance on illegal activities, particularly cyber monitoring and intelligence operations. Following the directive issued on Wednesday, different wings of the Kolkata Police have already started work in this regard.

Notably, there has been a major reshuffle in top administrative positions in the state police after the poll notification was issued. Supratim Sarkar was removed as Kolkata Police Commissioner and replaced by Ajay Kumar Nand.

Additionally, 13 Superintendents of Police across different districts have been transferred. The Election Commission has also transferred five Deputy Inspectors General from different zones.

The West Bengal Assembly elections will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh