Kolkata, September 17: IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Police (CP) for Kolkata. This change follows the removal of Vineet Kumar Goyal from the position.
The decision comes after a series of protests by junior doctors over a recent rape and murder case at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The protests led to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee agreeing to the demands of the junior doctors.
According to a notification from the Department of Home and Hill Affairs, Verma, who was previously the Additional Director General of Police (ADG) for Law and Order in West Bengal, will assume the role of CP from the date he takes charge until further notice.
Vineet Kumar Goyal, the former CP, has been reassigned as the ADG and Inspector General of Police (IGP) for the Special Task Force in West Bengal. Additionally, Abhishek Gupta, the former Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for Kolkata's North Division, has been transferred to the position of Circle Officer for the 2nd Battalion of the Eastern Frontier Rifles (EFR). Dipak Sarkar will now serve as the new DCP for the North Division.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, after meeting with the protesting junior doctors, confirmed that the majority of their demands were met, including the removal of Kolkata CP Vineet Kumar Goyal and certain officials from the health department.
"Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal has expressed his willingness to resign," Banerjee said. She added that Goyal would officially hand over his responsibilities to the new CP at 4 pm on Tuesday. Banerjee noted that her government had agreed to the majority of the junior doctors' demands.
"We have listened to the junior doctors and decided to replace the Commissioner. He has voluntarily agreed to resign. In the health department, we have agreed to remove two out of three requested officials. We have fulfilled 99 percent of their demands. We urge the doctors to return to work to avoid further public suffering," Banerjee stated.
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