SILIGURI, March 15 : In a significant administrative reshuffle following the controversy over security arrangements during President Droupadi Murmu’s recent North Bengal visit, Siliguri Police Commissioner C. Sudhakar has been posted as Inspector General of Police (Intelligence Branch) for North Bengal.
Syed Waquar Raza, currently Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Jalpaiguri Range, has been appointed Commissioner of Police, Siliguri, in the rank of DIG.
The reshuffle comes after the union Ministry of Home Affairs wrote to the West Bengal government seeking the deputation of Sudhakar. The move also follows the controversy surrounding the President’s visit to the region earlier this month.
According to sources, the ministry’s letter was sent amid a dispute between the Centre and the state over alleged lapses in security arrangements and protocol during the President’s tour on 7 March.
President Murmu had travelled to Siliguri to attend an international tribal conference, during which allegations surfaced that prescribed security measures and protocol norms were not fully adhered to.
Sources further said that following the incident, the Home Ministry sought the deputation of Sudhakar as well as Darjeeling District Magistrate Manish Mishra, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the West Bengal cadre.
The latest postings are being viewed in administrative circles as a significant development in the wake of the Centre-state tussle over security arrangements during the President’s visit.
Meanwhile, in a parallel development, senior WBCS officer Sunil Agarwal, formerly with the North Bengal Development Department, has been given additional charge as the new Darjeeling District Magistrate with effect from March 13. He replaces Mishra, who was transferred following the controversy related to the President’s tour of the region. (UNI)
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