Sankrail O-C will be back on job soon

Dutta’s family members,however,are apprehensive about him joining the same police station from where he was abducted when Maoists stormed inside on October 20 afternoon. “This is the only worry for the family,” said a relative of Dutta.

In the days following his release,Dutta had said he would have to think hard before rejoining the police service again.

“The family has decided he will rejoin as soon as possible. There is no question of withdrawing from the service. However,we are a bit skeptical about Atindra being asked to join back as the O-C of the Sankrail police station,” said Sanjib Dutta,Atindra’s brother-in-law. According to Sanjiv,Atindra is a little nervous to return to the same police station from where he was abducted. “We will convey our apprehensions to the West Midnapore SP soon. However,we are in regular touch with his office,” he said.

SP Manoj Verma said,“He has communicated to us he wants to rejoin. We are yet to decide on his posting,but as of now,the most important thing for him is to join duty in Sankrail as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile,Dutta has been asked not to speak with the media as per orders from the state police brass. Following his release,the police officer has been freely giving interviews to TV news channels,sometimes speaking of Mao-ists in laudatory terms,something senior police officers said acutely embarrassed them.

Dutta was abducted from his quarters when Maoists raided the Sankrail police station and shot two policemen dead. Two days later,he was released when the state government decided not to oppose the bail plea of 21 tribals,including 14 women,who were arrested earlier for alleged links with the Maoists.

A senior police officer said if Atindra “wants to rejoin service,he has to be in Sankrail police station”.

“We have many others who are posted in Maoist-hit areas. If Atindra asks for relaxation,what happens to others who are working in worst conditions? Moreover,according to the rules,he will remain the O-C of the Sankrail police station till orders for his next posting are issued.”

At present,Sanjib Roy,who was in-charge of the Raina police station in Burdwan,has been posted at Sankrail. “I have been sent to this police station on an ad hoc basis. I have been told I would be here till Atindra returns.”