Transfer of police officers in Jharkhand delayed, Board meeting disrupted

Ranchi: In a concerning development for law enforcement in Jharkhand, the transfer of Inspector and Sub Inspector level officers has been stalled for three years, creating potential ramifications for policing in the state. The Jharkhand Police Headquarters has completed preparations for transfers; however, the absence of the Additional Director General (ADG) at the headquarters is hindering the crucial board meeting.

Over two thousand Sub Inspectors from the 2018 batch, along with more than three thousand Sub Inspector and Inspector level officers, are currently awaiting transfers. The Election Commission’s directive mandates the transfer of officials who have remained in the same positions for three years or more, with a deadline set for 30th June 2024.

The delay in the transfer process is affecting the efficiency of policing in districts, as officers in anticipation of the impending transfers are reportedly not fully focused on their current duties. Moreover, the incoming officers will face challenges in gathering intelligence for Naxal operations and controlling criminal activities in their respective districts. The creation of an effective information system also poses a challenge for the newly deployed police officers.
District Superintendents (SPs) have expressed their concerns at the state police headquarters, emphasizing the potential impact on maintaining law and order in various regions.

In a related development, DSP level officers who have also exceeded the three-year mark in their current positions are slated for transfer. A recent board meeting addressed this matter, and the pending list of transfer-postings for DSP level officers is expected to be released soon. Additionally, 93 newly promoted officers are to be posted in the DSP rank, with over 150 DSPs set for transfer-posting by the state government. Approximately two dozen DSP level officer positions remain vacant across the state, contributing to the complexity of the ongoing transfers.