By IANS,
Kolkata: A day after the poll panel directed the West Bengal government to replace the Kolkata police commissioner, the city got a new police chief in Ranjit Kumar Pachnanda.
Pachnanda, special commissioner of city police, Thursday took charge of his new assignment.
“As per the instruction of the Election Commission (EC), R.K. Pachnanda has been appointed the new city police commissioner and he has taken over the charge from Goutam Mohan Chakraborti Thursday,” said Chief Secretary Samar Ghosh at the state secretariat – Writers’ Buildings.
“The West Bengal government today (Thursday) issued an order in this regard,” he said.
The EC Wednesday directed the state government to replace Chakraborti as he had completed more than three years in the same post.
“Chakraborti will now remain as an officer on compulsory waiting until a suitable posting is given to him. He has been asked to report to the home department,” said Ghosh.
Asked whether Chakraborti was headed for central deputation, Ghosh said: “That I cannot say. He has opted for central deputation and the state government has given a no-objection certificate.”
The EC selected Pachnanda from a panel of three officers forwarded by the state government, said Additional Chief Electoral Officer N.K. Sahana.
“Election is round the corner and it is our priority to conduct free and fair polls, and we will put our extreme efforts to ensure that the city residents exercise their franchise freely,” said Pachnanda after taking charge of Kolkata Police.
“Besides, we will continue our anti-crime drive and we are determined to provide a safe and crime free city,” he added.