Sundarraj P appointed Bastar police chief; Kalluri seeks leave

Amid a row over alleged attacks on journalists and human rights activists in Maoist-hit Bastar region, the Chhattisgarh government has posted Sundarraj P as the Deputy Inspector General of Police in Bastar in place of controversial IG S R P Kalluri, officials said today.
Kalluri has often run into controversies as part of his anti-naxal operations in the tribal belt and for his style of functioning in the insurgency hit region. He has been under fire from the Opposition and civil rights groups.
The official order to bring in Sundarraj, effecting Kalluri's departure from Bastar, was issued last evening here from the Mantrayala.

As per sources, Kalluri has applied for a medical leave.
Sundarraj, a 2003-batch IPS officer and serving as DIG state intelligence branch (SIB), has been made DIG for Dantewada range, officials said.
As per the order, the headquarter of DIG (Dantewada range) will be Jagdalpur (Bastar district's headquarter).

All districts falling under Bastar range will be under the jurisdiction of DIG Dantewada range, he added.
Kalluri has been facing criticism for alleged fake encounters and targeting local journalists, social and human rights activists.
The Bastar police also came under the heat recently over the alleged threat to social activist Bela Bhatia for leaving Parpa area of Bastar.

The state government was under pressure from human rights group and Opposition Congress to remove Kalluri from Bastar.
Meanwhile, a senior state Home Department official, on condition of anonymity, said Kalluri has submitted an application for medical leave.
"The Bastar IG has submitted application for leave," the official said but did not disclose the leave duration.