The Centre on Thursday asked the West Bengal government to immediately relieve three IPS officers for joining central deputation, saying all of them were already given new assignments, according to officials.
The three officers- Bholanath Pandey (SP, Diamond Harbour), Praveen Tripathi (DIG, Presidency Range) and Rajeev Mishra (ADG, South Bengal)—were responsible for BJP chief JP Nadda’s security during his December 9-10 Bengal visit.
Several vehicles in Nadda’s cavalcade were damaged and BJP leaders and workers injured by stone-throwing protesters carrying TMC flags at Sirakol, when the BJP chief was travelling to Diamond Harbour to address a public meeting.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee hit back, tweeting that it is unconstitutional and a brazen attempt by the Centre to control the state machinery by proxy. She said the state will not bow down.
In a fresh letter issued on Thursday, the home ministry said the West Bengal government and Director General of Police have failed to adhere to the rules. The ministry quoted section 6 (1) of the All India Service officers rule, which says that “in case of any disagreement, the Centre government’s decision shall prevail”.
The ministry said, therefore, three IPS officers have been posted at Centre with immediate effect. The ministry said South Bengal inspector general (IG) Rajeev Mishra has been posted as IG of Indo-Tibetan Border Police; Presidency Range deputy inspector general (DIG) Praveen Tripathi as DIG, Sashastra Seema Bal; and superintendent of police (SP) of Diamond Harbour, Bholanath Pandey, as SP of Bureau of Police Research and Development.
