New Delhi: The Centre asked the West Bengal government on Thursday to immediately relieve 3 IPS officers for joining central deputation, saying all of them were already given new assignments, according to officials.
In a communication to the West Bengal chief secretary, the Ministry of Home Affairs said as per the IPS cadre rules, the Centre prevails over the state government in case of any dispute.
The MHA said the three IPS officers were already given new assignments in the central government and they should be relieved immediately.
Bholanath Pandey has been appointed as SP in the Bureau of Police Research and Development, PraveenTripathi as DIG in the Sashastra Seema Bal and Rajeev Mishra as IG in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police, the official said.
The copy of the letter has also been sent to the West Bengal director general of police.
Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee flayed the ultimatum issued by the centre. She took to Twitter and said the state is "not going to cow-down in front of expansionist & undemocratic forces."
"GoI’s order of central deputation for the 3 serving IPS officers of West Bengal despite the State’s objection is a colourable exercise of power and blatant misuse of emergency provision of IPS Cadre Rule 1954," Mamata tweeted.
She added that the notice is a "deliberate attempt to encroach upon State’s jurisdiction & demoralize the serving officers in (West Bengal)." Adding the move is unacceptable, she said it comes ahead of the State elections and "is against the basic tenets of the federal structure."
"We wouldn’t allow this brazen attempt by the Centre to control the State machinery by proxy!" she said.
The Home Ministry directed the three IPS officers to join in central deputation for their alleged dereliction of duties following the attack on the convoy of BJP president J P Nadda last week.
Also Read: MHA calls 3 West Bengal IPS officers to serve in central deputation
