EC transfers one cop, asks IPS not to go to poll-bound areas

Acting on complaints, Election Commission has transferred a policeman in West Midnapore district and also instructed IPS officer Bharati Ghosh not to go to any poll-bound district ahead of the last phase of election tomorrow.
The EC said it will not hesitate to respond to violence of any sort, anywhere and anytime and take appropriate legal action irrespective of political affiliations, official sources said today.
The poll panel has directed the police to take strict action on all cases of post-poll violence.
"All matters pertaining to law and order are being pursued by West Bengal chief secretary and the director general of police and EC has directed time-bound follow-up action on FIRs lodged in these cases (post-poll violence) and legal action be taken," the officials said.

Officials said the officer-in-charge of Sabang police station in West Midnapore district, which went to polls in the second part of phase one on April 11, has been transferred.
The action comes after reports of post-poll violence in the district and allegations of police inaction made by the Congress-Left alliance.

The EC also asked the state administration to ensure that IPS Bharati Ghosh does not leave the city and go to the poll-bound districts of Coochbehar and East Midnapore, where polling will be held in the sixth and last phase tomorrow, officials said.
Ghosh, who was working as officer on special duty in left-wing affected areas, was transferred by the poll panel as special superintendent (CID) after elections began.

The IPS officer is now posted in Kolkata.