Election Commission replaces Nandigram police chief before bypoll

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the immediate replacement of the inspector-in-charge of Nandigram Police Station in West Bengal's East Midnapore district. Ajay Kumar Mishra has been replaced by Debasish Sarkar, formerly the inspector-in-charge of the district's traffic control room.

The administrative change occurs one day before the Assembly bypoll in the Nandigram constituency. While the ECI did not provide a specific reason for the sudden transfer, it required a compliance report by Monday evening.

The upcoming election in Nandigram features significant security measures, including the deployment of 37 companies of Central Armed Police Forces and over 15,000 state police personnel. Approximately 24 per cent of the polling booths in the constituency have been designated as sensitive.