Election Commission Shuffles 173 Police Station Chiefs in Bengal Ahead of Assembly Elections
Massive administrative reshuffle targets key constituencies to ensure neutral policing
New Delhi, Mar 30 : The Election Commission of India has initiated a sweeping administrative overhaul in West Bengal, transferring officers in charge and inspectors in charge from 173 police stations, including several under Kolkata Police jurisdiction. The move is aimed at reinforcing impartial law enforcement ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
Key constituencies such as Bhabanipur and Nandigram are among the areas affected, highlighting the commission’s focus on politically sensitive regions. These seats are expected to witness intense contests, drawing significant public and political attention.
The reshuffle extends across multiple districts, including Cooch Behar, Malda, Murshidabad, Birbhum, Paschim Medinipur, Howrah, and the North and South 24 Parganas. Several new postings have been announced, with officers reassigned to maintain administrative balance and reduce local influence.
Among notable changes, Soumitra Basu has been appointed as the new officer-in-charge of Bhabanipur police station. Other key police stations in Kolkata—such as Alipore, Entally, Gariahat, and Tollygunge—have also seen leadership changes.
In a parallel step, the commission transferred 14 block development officers in Purba Medinipur district, including officials from Nandigram I and II blocks. Earlier, 83 officers serving as block development officers and assistant returning officers were shifted across 18 districts, reflecting the scale of the exercise.
Officials stated that such widespread transfers are a standard measure to ensure fairness during elections by preventing undue local influence on administration. The directive was issued from New Delhi as part of broader poll preparedness.
The development comes amid ongoing tensions between the Centre and the state government. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has previously criticised similar actions, alleging political motivations behind the reshuffles.
Elections for the 294-member Assembly will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4.
