Pramesh S Jain
Close on the heels of the ceremonial transfer of the Ballari Superintendent of Police,just hours after his posting following a clash that claimed the life of a party worker, the State government has now transferred the Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police as well.
The DIG has been replaced by a senior officer of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) rank.
The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of the police handling of the incident,which triggered political outrage and demands for accountability.
As per an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR),P.S.Harsha,who was awaiting posting,has been appointed as Inspector General of Police,Ballari Range.
He replaces Vartika Katiyar,DIG, who has been transferred and posted as DIG,Directorate of Civil Rights Enforcement.
In another key posting,Sumana.D.Pennekar,who was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Intelligence), Bengaluru,has been appointed as Superintendent of Police,Ballari district.
The post had fallen vacant after Pavan Nejjur was suspended within hours of assuming charge,with the government holding him prima facie responsible for failing to effectively handle the law-and-order situation during a violent clash in Ballari last Thursday.
The violence erupted following a clash between supporters of Ballari City MLA Nara Bharath Reddy and Gangavathi MLA G.Janardhan Reddy.
During the incident,a Congress worker was killed in a firing.Incidents of stone-pelting were also reported, forcing the police to resort to a lathi charge and tear gas to bring the situation under control.
