Mumbai police chief transferred (Second Lead)

August 23rd, 2012 - 3:38 pm ICT by IANS  

Bharatiya Janata Party Mumbai, Aug 22 (IANS) Mumbai Police Commissioner Arup Patnaik was shunted out Thursday, a top home department official said, after coming under criticism over mishandling the Aug 11 violence at Azad Maidan that killed two and injured many, including 45 policemen.

Speculation about Patnaik’s transfer were rife as the Shiv Sena, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) had criticised him for failing to curb the violence. The city police chief defended himself, saying that it was vital that police exercise restraint while handling such a situation.

He has been replaced by Satyapal Singh, a Maharashtra cadre IPS officer of the 1980 batch.

The three opposition parties have also demanded the resignation of Maharashtra Home Minister R.R. Patil, accusing him of failing to maintain law and order in the city.

Talk of Patnaik’s transfer gained currency after MNS chief Raj Thackeray Tuesday led a protest march against the Aug 11 violence, defying the Mumbai police, which had refused him permission for the procession from Girgaum Chowpatty to Azad Maidan.

On Wednesday Patnaik had said that he has ruled out the possibility of resigning. “I am a government employee. I will be fine with whatever post I have been assigned,” he had said when asked if he would resign.

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