By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a swift development ahead of February 23 Assembly polls, the Election Commission of India has removed the DGP Kulbir Krishan and replaced him with the present DG Civil Defence and Home Guards Prem Singh, who was also holding the charge of DG (Prisons).
Krishan will now hold the charges of Prisons and Home Guards.
It was only on November 30 that Krishan was appointed as the new DGP of Meghalaya after the former DGP N Ramachandran retired.
According to reports, the Election Commission removed him on the basis of complaints from the State Election Department that there have been interferences on the part of Krishan.
When contacted, the Chief Electoral Officer P. Naik refused to comment on Krishan’s removal.
However, a PTI report quoting top EC sources from Delhi said the transfer has been initiated following a report from the state Chief Electoral officer on the basis of complaints against him.
Subsequently, a meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and attended by Election Commissioners H S Brahma and Nasim Zaidi decided to remove Krishan.
Though the decision was made on February 5, there was delay in appointing Singh as the EC had sought the panel of names of senior Meghalaya police officials for appointment as next DGP from the state Home Department.
After the submission of names by the state Home Department, the EC gave the nod for the appointment of Singh.
Sources said that there were allegations from certain quarters that Krishan was interfering in the poll process and was also favouring the ruling Congress.
There was allegation in a section of the press that the reports had gone to the Election Commission of India about a certain high ranking police official allegedly collecting money from suppliers in the Police Department, on behalf of a Cabinet Minister and other Congress candidates in the fray for this election.
As the allegations appeared in the news reports were solely pointed at Krishan, the State Election Department had sent a report to the Election Commission of India.
The issue was also taken up with the Director General of Audit (Central Expenditure), PK Dash who visited the state in connection with the elections.
Sources also said that there were some differences on the part of Krishan and Naik on the appointment of a coordinator for elections from the police department though finally they both agreed to appoint MR Vijaya Kumar as the co coordinator. The choice was between Kumar and BR Rana.
When contacted, Krishan denied the allegations against him and said that he had done his duty with complete integrity and honesty and added that he was very proud of the work done.
Asked about the allegations of collection of money, Krishan said, “I can challenge any one who can prove that I have either taken money or someone gave me money”.
There were also reports that some politicians were not in favour of Krishan continuing in office.