Birbhum SP, three OCs transferred by election commission

Suri/Kolkata: The Election Commission on Thursday transferred Birbhum SP Mukesh Kumar and inspectors-in-charge Debashis Ghosh (Labhpur), Sanjay Srivastav (Mayureswar) and Jawhar Jyoti Ray (Bolpur) just 48 hours ahead of polling.

The late-night transfers followed a stock-taking by the EC's full bench in Kolkata, where they investigated allegations that Birbhum police had failed to act in a neutral manner to end political clashes in the district.

Sabysachi Raman Mishra, now posted with CID as special superintendent, will replace Kumar, say sources, adding that there were repeated allegation of bias against Kumar.

On Thursday, Congress leader Manas Bhuniya had lodged a complaint with the EC against Kumar and demanded his removal on Thursday. The district has had seven SPs in five years.