Kolkata, Mar 17 (PTI) Newly-appointed Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand on Tuesday asserted that the force is “determined” to ensure free and fair polls in its jurisdiction during the West Bengal assembly elections next month.
After the announcement of the assembly poll schedule on Sunday, the Election Commission removed Kolkata Police Commissioner Supratim Sarkar on March 16 and appointed Nand in his place. The poll panel also shifted the state’s top bureaucratic and police brass, including the chief secretary and the DGP.
Asked about the EC’s repeated assurance of ensuring free and fair polls in the state, which has seen election-related violence in past elections, Nand said, “We are determined… this is our responsibility.” Nand said that all steps will be taken in due course of time.
Maintaining that it also depends on the top brass of the police force, he said, “As commissioner of police, I must provide the force with leadership, all required logistical support, protect them from any kind of undue pressure and strategic guidance.” The commissioner said that 30 companies of central forces have already been deployed in the Kolkata Police jurisdiction.
Maintaining that there is “seamless coordination” between the central forces and the local police, the commissioner said that nodal officers are in place to ensure this.
“Meetings are taking place every day; it is a humungous exercise,” he said.
Nand said that the system has been streamlined to ensure fast reaction to any kind of untoward incident in any place in the city.
The new police commissioner said that he would not fail in providing leadership, asserting, “This is a commitment to myself.” He said that the process of searches and raids for recovery and seizure of illegal arms and ammunition before the elections is going on as per norms.
The elections to the 294-member West Bengal assembly will be held in two phases – on April 23 and 29. Votes will be counted on May 4. PTI AMR NN
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