Inamdar issue: BJP flays Maharashtra Govt.

By Our Special Correspondent

MUMBAI, JAN. 6. The resignation of Mr. Arvind Inamdar following his transfer from the post of Maharashtra's Director General of Police, has evoked sharp criticism from the Opposition even as the State Government maintained that the step had not meant his demotion.

The BJP said the decision was a blatant political interference in the police administration and it had demoralised the force when it was doing good work in apprehending ISI agents and fighting the underworld.

Mr. Inamdar put in his papers last evening after handing over charge to Mr. Subhash Malhotra. The Government had transferred him as Advisor, Systems Improvement. The post was created to facilitate the transfer. The officer, who had 11 months left for retirement, saw demotion in the transfer and decided to quit describing his transfer as an ``insult''.

The Deputy Chief Minister, Mr. Chhagan Bhujbal, who holds the Home portfolio strongly denied that he was vindictive towards Mr. Inamdar. He said the Government wanted to put Mr. Inamdar's experience to ``better use'' and had created the post for him. He said it was not his decision alone. The Chief Minister, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, said it was not a demotion.

The Opposition said Mr. Inamdar was never consulted either for the transfer of so many other officers after the present Government took over or for his own transfer. Close on the heels of the quitting of Mr. Inamdar, the Mumbai Police Commissioner, Mr. Ronald Mendonca, is stated to have gone on leave, anticipating transfer because of differences with the new Government.

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Section  : Regional
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