KOLKATA 12 DEC: Two days after the attack on BJP president JP Nadda’s convoy the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) summon three IPS officers from West Bengal. mainly, to serve in the central deputation. The three senior officers are Rajiv Mishra I G Western Range Pravin Kumar Tripathy DIG Presidency Zone and Bhola Nath Pandey SP Diamond Harbour .In fact, the three IPS officers are responsible for maintaining the BJP Chief’s security. This comes in especially after the alleged lapses in the security of BJP president JP Nadda’s convoy earlier this week. In fact, the letter from the MHA letter did come in a day after the attack on Nadda’s convoy during his visit to Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district. Notably, Nadda has a ‘Z’ category protection.
On Thursday, BJP president, JP Nadda’s convoy was attacked by a rampaging mob at Diamond Harbour. Mainly, bricks and stones were pelted at the BJP president’s car. Also, few other senior leaders like Kailash Vijaywargiya, Rahul Sinha, Anupam Hazra, Mukul Roy did receive some minor injuries in the attack.
Bengal Rejects Centre’s Proposal
However, the state government did clearly reject the central deputation proposal to the three IPS officers. Generally, consent from the state government is taken before any all IPS officer is called in to serve in the central deputation. Now, this seems to have sparked another fresh war of words between the state and the Centre in the run-up to the next year’s state elections.
Now, after receiving the letter sent by the MHA, the state government did reject the proposal. Mainly, citing a shortage of staff as the main reason.
Senior officials of the state government said that the MHA is the cadre controlling authority for the Indian Police Service (IPS). So, these senior leaders did agree that the MHA has the power to attach an IPS officer with it. Preferably, in consultation with the concerned state government. Mostly, the state government can express their views. But, it is not mandatory to accept such observations.
Bengal Chief Secretary Sends Written Explanation
Earlier, the Union Health Secretary Ajay Bhalla had written a letter to the state government. He did suggest the deputation of the three IPS officers.
In fact, Bhalla had written to the Mamata Banerjee government on December 11. In his letter, Bhalla had asked the chief secretary and the DGP to meet him on December 14. Mostly, to discuss the law and order situation in Bengal.
In response to Bhalla’s letter, the Bengal Chief Secretary Alapan Banerjee also did write back to him. Alapan did clearly explain the steps taken to manage Nadda’s security on December 10. In his response, the chief secretary said a DIG-rank official was assigned to oversee the police arrangement in the specific area. Further, under the DIG officer, there were four additional superintendents of police (SPs), eight deputy SPs, 14 inspectors, 70 sub-inspectors, 40 RAF personnel, 259 constables. Also, 350 auxiliary forces members were deployed too.
TMC MP writes to Union Home Secretary
In addition, TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee also did write a letter to the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. Banerjee dubbed the issued summons by the MHA as a ‘political move’. Also, in his letter, Banerjee did accuse the Centre of resorting to coercive means. Precisely, to cause intimidation to the state administration. Thus, the top officials were summoned by the Home Minister Amit Shah. So, the TMC MP simply condemned such actions. In fact, actions he believes is to clearly create fear and add pressure upon the named police officers.
“In what respect of the law and order situation, can you call the officials for any sort of discussion? Can you, under the Constitution of India and any other law, intervene in respect of law and order of the state? It appears to be a political motive. And at the insistence of your minister, who is also a BJP leader, you have issued the said letter,” Banerjee wrote.
Further, wrote that the Centre is trying to “coerce” the officers of West Bengal with “political vindictiveness”. He said the central government is interfering with the federal structure in his letter.
Now, it may also be mentioned that a few days back, Banerjee had written a letter to the Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla. In his previous letter, he had questioned his authority to summon the chief secretary and the DGP.