Mamata Banerjee's security breach in Nandigram: ECI removes Director Security, East Medinipur DM and SP

According to reports, West Bengal Director Security, IPS Vivek Sahay, SP East Medinipur, IPS Pravin Prakash, and the district's magistrate (DM), IAS Vibhu Goel, have been detached from their positions as well as from the election process following the incident that triggered a fresh political mudslinging.

The commission stated that charges will be framed against senior IPS officer Vivek Sahay within a week for grossly failing in the discharge of his primary duty as the state's Director Security to protect the Z+ protectee.

The ECI has also authorised the Bengal Chief Secretary to appoint a new Director Security immediately in consultation with the DGP.

"A Committee of Chief Secretary and DGP shall identify within next three days the other proximate security personnel below Director Security, who failed in their duties to prevent the incident and protect the Z+ protectee VVIP and take suitable action for their failure under intimation to the Commission by 1700 hours on 17th March 2021," the Election Commission has directed.

East Medinipur DM Vibhu Goel has been transferred to a non-election post while district SP, Pravin Prakash, has been placed under suspension immediately and charges will be framed against him for the major failure in security arrangements for the CM, according to officials. 

Meanwhile, 2005-batch IAS, Smita Pandey, and 2009-batch IPS officer, Sunil Kumar Yadav, have been appointed as the new DM and SP of East Medinipur district respectively.

The commission took these actions after examining the joint report submitted by Special General Observer Ajay Nayak and Special Police Observer Vivek Dubey on the Nandigram incident.

"After perusing the documents of CS's report and that of Special Observers based on annexures of reports of DM, SP, Purba Medinipur and Returning Officer of 210 Nandigram Assembly Constituency, and other inputs of the facts and circumstances of the incident, the Commission decided to take the actions against the officials responsible for making security arrangements for the Chief Minister," a senior ECI official said.

Earlier on Mar 10, Mamata Banerjee alleged that four-five people intentionally manhandled her in Nandigram and she had suffered injuries to her left leg..

Claiming that it was a 'pre-planned deep-rooted conspiracy' against Mamata Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress had moved to the ECI.

The commission on Sunday ruled out the allegation of the attack on Mamata Banerjee and called the incident an 'accident' as the crowd went 'too close' to the CM following a security lapse.

"Commission further directed that since the security of star campaigners further becomes far more sensitive during the election period because of additional criticality due to possible proximity with large crowds and sensational impact of any such incidence on law and order across the state, established SoPs, including advance detailed programme, necessary permissions to hold rallies or roadshows, deployment, use of bulletproof vehicle, if required as per security category of protectee, deployment on pre-decided route(s), observance of provisions of The Motor Vehicle Act , etc should be followed scrupulously. Any deviation from approved programme should only be permitted after necessary approval(s)," an ECI statement read.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has also appointed former DGP Intelligence Punjab, Anil Kumar Sharma (Retd. IPS 1984 Punjab Cadre) as Special Police Observer for the General Elections to Legislative Assembly of West Bengal.

"As Special Police Observer, A K Sharma would be the second Special Police Observer, in addition to Vivek Dube, to observe the conduct of elections in West Bengal," the ECI statement added.