The officer-in-charge of Usti police station and four other policemen have been shunted out in the aftermath of the worst-ever hooch tragedy in West Bengal that claimed 173 lives.

The Additional Superintendent of Police, South 24 Parganas district, Mr Kankar Prasad Barui, said that OC of Usti police station Debabrata Sen and an ASI and three constables of Sangrampur police outpost have been removed from their posts and sent to the police headquarters.

The hooch tragedy occurred in Usti police station area. The Circle Inspector of Mograhat Somdeb Banerjee has been given the additional charge of the officer-in-charge of Usti police station, Mr Barui said.

Excise Dept to be strengthened

The State government has decided to strengthen the State Excise Department by recruiting people and reappointing retired staff.

“There is need for organisational strengthening of the Excise Department. The Excise Commissioner has been asked to submit a proposal to the Excise Secretary as early as possible,” the Chief Secretary, Mr Samar Ghosh, told newsmen in Kolkata.

Mr Ghosh, who earlier held a meeting with the Excise Secretary, Mr H.K. Dwivedi, and the Excise Commissioner, Mr D.K. Chakraborty, said vacancies would be filled and retired employees of the department would be reappointed as and when necessary. They would be, however, screened for efficiency before reappointment.

In reply to a question, Mr Ghosh said the measures were being taken in the wake of this week's hooch tragedy at Sangrampur in South 24 Parganas district.

The State government has already ordered a CID enquiry into the incident.

Related Topics