West Bengal polls: EC orders transfer of 15 officials

The Election Commission today ordered the "immediate" transfer of 15 civil administration and police officials, including a DM and an SP to "further tighten" the law and order machinery in West Bengal ahead of the 4th and 5th phase of assembly polls.
The Commission said today that it has ordered the transfer of P B Salim, District Magistrate of South 24-Parganas and SP of North 24-Parganas Tanmay Ray Chaudhuri with "immediate effect".
The Commission also ordered shunting out of six 'officers incharge' -- one each in South 24 Pargana and Hoogly and 2 each in North 24 Pargana and Cooch Behar districts.

It also removed seven inspectors incharge -- 1 each in South 24 Pargana and Howrah and 5 in North 24 Pargana districts.
The poll watchdog said the transfers have been ordered "in order to further tighten the law and order machinery for 4th and 5th phase of polling in West Bengal."
The fourth phase of election to 49 constituencies will be held on April 25 while the fifth phase poll is on April 30 when 53 constituencies will go for elections.
The Commission has already shunted out Kolkata police commissioner Rajeev Kumar over allegations of bias towards the ruling party.