KUMUD JENAMANI
Jamshedpur, May 7: The Kandra Thana OP officer-in-charge (OC) Vinod Kumar Murmu was on Tuesday removed from his post for dereliction in his duty following a probe in connection with the alleged heckling meted out to the BJP candidate Geeta Koda from Singhbhum parliamentary seat by the JMM supporters during the election campaign in April.
Seraikela-Kharsawan SP, Manish Toppo today summoned Murmu “line hazir,” meaning the latter will be in the Seraikela Police Line doing the routine work there and not involved in any law and order duty or investigation.
Action taken on recommendation of Ranchi zonal IG
The Line Attachment of the Kandra OP in-charge followed a recommendation by the Ranchi zonal IG, Akhilesh Jha who had conducted a probe by coming over to Seraikela-Kharsawan last month having been intimated by the Election Commission where Geeta Koda had lodged a complaint against the OC of Gamharia Thana, Raju, OC of Kandra Thana OP and the deputy superintendent of police concerned.
In the probe, the zonal IG found the Kandra thana OP to have neglected his duty, though the DSP’s role in the episode is still under scanner.
It may be mentioned here that the Singhbhum MP, Geeta Koda who had switched over to the BJP from the Congress in recent past has been made the NDA candidate for the same seat.
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Geeta Koda filed complaint against JMM supporters and accused police of inaction
On April 14, Geeta Koda had scheduled a public contact campaign at the Mohanpur village under the Gamharia block under the Kandra Thana OP area in her constituency.
The BJP candidate had formally intimated the concerned police regarding the program. But when she arrived near the Mohanpur village along with her party men, a large number of JMM supporters gheraoed her and her party men by brandishing traditional weapons.
The JMM supporters did not only prevented Geeta Koda from entering into the village but also heckled the parliamentarian and her supporters there and held them all literally hostage for hours together.
Moreover, the Kandra Thana OP, Vinod Kumar Murmu who was at the scene along with an adequate number of policemen did nothing to disperse the unruly JMM supporters and remained just a silent spectator instead.
Later, the Gamharia Thana OC intervened and rescued the BJP candidate and her supporters from the clutch of the JMM supporters.
Geeta Koda had subsequently lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, seeking action against the erring police officers for violating the Model Code of Conduct.
