Kolkata: Forty-nine of 66 Kolkata Police personnel, transferred to Bengal Police in 2016 in what many described as a “punishment posting”, would return to their parent cadre after nearly 10 years, stated an order issued from Nabanna on Friday.Those repatriated include an assistant commissioner, six inspectors, four sub-inspectors, four assistant sub-inspectors, one sergeant and several constables. They are expected to rejoin various divisions and battalions, including units, where they served before their transfer.The move follows an SOS from Kolkata Police commissioner Ajay Nand to the state home and hill affairs department, flagging a manpower shortage and seeking the return of officers currently serving in Bengal Police. Nand said filling more than 10,000 vacancies would take time and urged immediate repatriation of available personnel.The 2016 transfers, made under the previous govt, had drawn criticism over timing and alleged political motives. Families of the affected cops repeatedly sought their return, but many retired while still posted outside Kolkata Police.The decision comes at a time when the state asked departments to submit vacancy reports to speed up recruitment and improve service delivery.
