MHA again asks WB govt to relieve 3 IPS officers; defiant Mamata calls Centre expansionist

Centre-versus-Mamata Banerjee battle has escalated as Union Home Ministry has sent ar letter to West Bengal Government to relieve three IPS officers for whom it had sought central deputation at earliest. Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee has responded saying that she will t allow  "brazen attempt" by Centre to "control State machinery by proxy!"

On Thursday, MHA has asked three IPS officers to report for Central deputation. Using powers under IPS Cadre Rule 6(1), Ministry of Home Affairs has made a central deputation of three officers, sources said.  three officers are Inspector General (South Bengal) Rajeev Mishra, DIG (Presidency Range) Praveen Kumar Tripathi, and Diamond Harbour SP Bholanath Pandey. y were in-charge of BJP chief JP Nadda’s security when his convoy was attacked on 10 December.

'Brazen attempt to control state machinery': Mamata

"GoI’s order of central deputation for 3 serving IPS officers of West Bengal despite State’s objection is a colourable exercise of power and blatant misuse of emergency provision of IPS Cadre Rule 1954," Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet. In ar tweet, she said that this act is thing but a "deliberate attempt" to encroach upon State’s jurisdiction and demoralize serving officers in West Bengal.

"This move, particularly before elections is against basic tenets of federal structure. It's unconstitutional and completely unacceptable," she said. "West Bengal is t going to cow-down in front of expansionist and undemocratic forces," she added. 

Last week, MHA had summoned three IPS officers of West Bengal to serve in central deputation, days after alleged security lapses during BJP chief JP Nadda's visit to state. In response to Union Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) call to send se three IPS officers from West Bengal for Central deputation, Mamata Banerjee government on Sunday said 'y can't spare se officials'.

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"Union Home Ministry has received a response from government of West Bengal on three IPS officials who were called for Central deputation. West Bengal government has said that y can't spare se officials for Central deputation," official told news ncy ANI. 

BJP chief JP Nadda's convoy attacked

convoy of JP Nadda, who was on a two-day visit to West Bengal, was attacked on Thursday and several BJP leaders including Kailash Vijayvargiya were injured when protesters pelted stones at ir vehicles at Diamond Harbour in West Bengal. Ministry of Home Affairs had summoned state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) over law and order situation in state. However, West Bengal government decided t to send m. Elections to 294-member state Assembly are due in April-May next year.

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