Thaindian News

Kolkata, Oct 14 (IANS) Seven India Reserve Battalion personnel, who had gone on an indefinite fast last month in camps in various parts of West Bengal against “marathon postings” in Maoist affected areas, were Friday suspended for indiscipline.

A highly placed police source said a probe was on to determine the exact role of each of the seven as also other IRB members in the fast launched Sep 21 to express other grievances like the reluctance of authorities to sanction holidays or leave.

“Action may be taken against more personnel once the probe is over. As of now, seven personnel have been suspended for indiscipline,” said the source.

The IRB personnel in six camps located in the Maoist-hit areas of Bankura and West Midnapore, as also the headquarters in Durgapur, Suri in Birbhum district, Singur in Hooghly district, Nandigram in East Midnapore, and Katwa in Burdwan district had started the agitation, catching the authorities off guard.

However, the protestors withdrew the agitation two days after the state government rushed then Director General of Armed Police Gautam Mohan Chakraborty, who promised to look into their problems.

Earlier this week, the state government removed most of the IRB personnel from the Maoist hit areas and replaced them with members of other armed police units.

The IRBs, modelled on the Central Police Force (CPF), have been constituted in various states to maintain law and order situation and internal security in the country.

The sub-inspectors of police and constables of these units are directly recruited from all over India.

West Bengal has two reserve battalions — one at Bidhannagar, Durgapur, in Burdwan district, and the other at Siliguri of Darjeeling district. It was the Bidhannagar-headquarterd battalion that raised the banner of revolt.