Kolkata: In a significant administrative reshuffle, the West Bengal government has transferred and modified the postings of 26 IPS and WBPS cadre officers across the state. The changes were notified through an official order issued by the Police Service Cell of the Home and Hill Affairs Department, aimed at strengthening policing, intelligence gathering, and administrative efficiency.
The reshuffle impacts several crucial departments, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Intelligence Branch, Special Branch, Commissionerates, and State Armed Police battalions, covering postings from Kolkata and Bidhannagar to North Bengal and Jangalmahal regions.
Senior-Level Changes in Key Police Ranges and CID
Among the most prominent changes, Anoop Jaiswal, who was serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Midnapore Range in the rank of Inspector General (IG), has been appointed as the Inspector General, CID, placing him at the helm of the state’s premier investigative wing.
Meanwhile, Arijit Sinha, who was serving as DIG, Midnapore Range, has been given additional charge as DIG, Jangalmahal Battalion, expanding his responsibilities in a region considered sensitive from a law-and-order perspective.
Intelligence, Special Branch and Commissionerate-Level Transfers
In a key move affecting the intelligence apparatus in North Bengal, Shrihari Pandey, currently posted as Superintendent of Police (SP), Kalimpong, has been promoted and appointed as DIG, Intelligence Branch, North Bengal.
At the commissionerate level, the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Central of Howrah Commissionerate has been transferred to the post of DC, Special Branch (SB) in the Bidhannagar Commissionerate, reinforcing intelligence operations in the rapidly expanding urban region.
Traffic, Battalion and District-Level Appointments
Several important postings were made involving traffic, battalion command, and district policing roles:
- Nima Norbu Bhutia, who was serving as DC, Traffic, Bidhannagar, has been appointed as Commanding Officer (CO), State Armed Police (SAP) 10th Battalion.
- Rakesh Singh, previously the CO of the 10th Battalion, has been transferred as DC, East, Siliguri Commissionerate.
- Sujata Kumari Veenapani, the DC, Traffic, Howrah, has been appointed as DC, Headquarters, Howrah.
- Asim Khan, Additional SP, Alipurduar, has been posted as the new DC, Traffic, Howrah, replacing Veenapani.
CID, Bidhannagar and Krishnanagar-Level Changes
The reshuffle also includes changes within CID and Bidhannagar Commissionerate –
- Shyamal Samanta, who was serving as DC, Headquarters, Howrah, has been transferred as Special Superintendent (SS), CID.
- Makwana Meetkumar Sanjaykumar, Additional SP (Headquarters), Krishnanagar Police District, has been appointed as DC, Traffic, Bidhannagar, filling the vacancy created by Bhutia’s transfer.
Additional Transfers Across the State
Apart from these senior postings, the notification also includes multiple transfers and postings of Additional Superintendents of Police (Additional SPs), Deputy Commissioners (DCs), and Sub-Divisional Police Officers (SDPOs) across various districts and police commissionerates in West Bengal. These changes are expected to impact day-to-day policing, traffic management, and administrative oversight at the grassroots level.
Continuation of Reshuffle Drive in State Police
This latest reshuffle follows an earlier major exercise carried out on November 27, when the state government transferred 40 senior police officials, including 21 IPS officers and 19 WBPS officers. The back-to-back reshuffles indicate an ongoing effort by the state administration to recalibrate leadership positions within the police force to address operational priorities and regional requirements.
