WB pre-election reorganization: EC moves 173 OCs and ICs throughout Bengal

In an effort to guarantee a free and fair election process, the Election Commission conducted what is reportedly the biggest police reorganization in West Bengal in recent memory ahead of the West Bengal Assembly Election. 

The Commission has authorized the posting and transfer of Officers-in-Charge (OCs) and Inspectors-in-Charge (ICs) throughout a large portion of the state, according to official sources. Officers have been changed in 31 police stations in Kolkata alone, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s constituency of Bhabanipur.

Simultaneously, similar changes have been implemented in 142 police stations across the rest of the state. These include politically significant constituencies such as Nandigram, represented by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, and Berhampore, associated with senior Congress leader and this year’s candidate Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

In a letter addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Election Commission stated that it had thoroughly reviewed the proposals submitted by the state government before granting approval for the transfers. The newly appointed officers have been directed to assume charge with immediate effect.

Among key appointments, Soumitra Basu from the Special Task Force (STF) has been posted as the IC of Bhabanipur Police Station. Subhabrata Nath has been appointed IC of Nandigram, while Inspector Subhashis Ghosh has been transferred from the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate to take charge of Berhampore Police Station.

The reshuffle spans nearly the entire state, covering districts from North Bengal to South Bengal, including Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling, Malda, South Dinajpur, Murshidabad, Nadia, North and South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, East and West Midnapore, Birbhum, and Bankura.

In many cases, officers who had been posted in the same district for extended periods have been transferred elsewhere. Additionally, several officers have been brought in from specialised units such as Cyber Crime, Traffic, and the Special Branch to take direct charge of police stations.

A number of Kolkata Police units have also been affected by the reorganization, with officers being reallocated to bolster ground-level police in the city prior to the elections. The Election Commission regularly takes these steps before to elections in order to preserve peace and order and administrative impartiality. The scope of this reorganization, according to officials, is unprecedented in recent years. As the state enters a high-stakes election season, administrative sources said the action is intended to ensure transparency, avoid any undue influence, and strengthen public faith in the voting process.