As controversial Bastar Inspector General of Police S R P Kalluri proceeded on a long leave, Congress today suspected that the BJP government in Chhattisgarh may bring him back ahead of next year's Assembly elections.
"Sending Kalluri on leave at this stage could be a stratagem of Raman Singh government so that he can be reinstated during Assembly elections," state Congress chief Bhupesh Baghel said.
Baghel welcomed Kalluri's exit, alleging that the IPS officer had created atmosphere of fear in Bastar.
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"Removing a tyrant officer from Bastar is a good step. Kalluri's activities were tarnishing the image of the state at national and world level. He was being accused of killing innocent tribals in fake encounters, rape of women, setting ablaze houses of tribals and many others crimes (committed by the police)."
Neither journalists nor social activists were able to perform their work due to him. Attack on (researcher) Bela Bhatia's house (in Bastar) is a latest example," Baghel said.
The state government yesterday sanctioned 90 days of leave to Kalluri from February 1. Sundarraj P was appointed as the Deputy Inspector General for Bastar.
It led to the speculation that Kalluri, who was at the centre of controversies for his alleged high-handed style and human rights violations in the Naxal-affected region, was being sent on a forced leave.
Denying the reports, Kalluri today said, "I have proceeded on medical leave of my own accord. I have read some articles that I was forcibly dispatchedon leave which I beg to deny," he said in a statement.
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