EC transfers Purulia SP, 3 other cops in West Bengal ahead of May 25 polling

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered the immediate transfer of Purulia Superintendent of Police Avijit Banerjee, five days before Lok Sabha elections in the West Bengal district. Aashish Maurya will take charge as the new SP of Purulia.

Dibakar Das, a sub-divisional police officer of Contai, has also been transferred. Azharuddin Khan will take over from him. The EC also ordered the transfer of Gopal Pathak and Raju Kundu, officers in charge of the Bhupatinagar and Patashpur police stations, respectively, in the East Midnapore district. Like Purulia, East Midnapore will also go to poll in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 on May 25.

Sources said the ECI had received complaints against these officers for allegedly acting at the behest of the ruling Trinamool Congress. Avijit Banerjee was previously the Diamond Harbour SP.

Also read | Around 73% turnout in 7 seats amid incidents of sporadic violence

Eight constituencies in West Bengal went to polls in the fifth phase of Lok Sabha elections on Monday. Scattered incidents of violence marred the polling, and voter turnout was recorded at 73 per cent until 5 pm.

Meanwhile, miscreants allegedly attacked the house of Tanmay Purkayait, an active TMC worker, and hurled bombs at it in Uluberia.