Patna: Patna will get a new traffic police chief in place of P.K. Das, whose bosses had been pressing for his removal for some time.

Sheohar superintendent of police Prakash Nath Mishra will be the new traffic superintendent of police (SP) of Patna, replacing Das, who is moving to Begusarai as commandant of the Bihar Military Police.

Das was among 28 IPS officers transferred on Saturday, among them four SPs. His shift was imminent since inspector-general, Patna zone, Nayyar Hasnain Khan had thrice recommended Das's removal as traffic SP. Even Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Mahraaj had recommended disciplinary action against Das, an erstwhile Bihar police service officer who was promoted to the IPS under the state quota.

Patna will get a new rural SP as well in Anand Kumar, who was posted as ADC to the governor. He will replace L.M. Prasad, who has been promoted as DIG, Bettiah range.

The SPs of Naugachhia, Sheikhpura and Lakhisarai districts have also been removed. Naugachhia SP P.K. Sinha has been promoted as DIG and posted with the special branch; Lakhisarai SP Arvind Kumar Thakur and his Sheikhpura counterpart Rajendra Kumar have been made assistant to the IG-BMP, Patna, and commandant of home guard and fire services, respectively.

Muzaffarpur SP rail B.N. Jha has been promoted as DIG, rail; Patna SP rail Jitendra Mishra has been appointed DIG, Munger range. SP, vigilance, Shiv Kumar Jha and commandant of home guard Shekhar Kumar have been promoted and made DIGs of the economic offences unit and DIG (personnel) at the police headquarters, respectively.

Sources in the police headquarters said Saturday's transfers were long awaited. "It doesn't assume much significance as the officers posted in field during the Mahagathbandhan (RJD-JDU) rule are still enjoying plum postings. A few of the officers were considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad," said a senior IPS officer.

The IPS, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, added that there were officers who have remained in their posts (as SPs) for three or more years. "We expected those officers will be shifted in the next round within a fortnight," said another IG rank officer.

An IG rank officer posted at the headquarters is desperate to move out and is also lobbying for his posting in the field. Another officer, considered close to chief minister Nitish Kumar, is eyeing a posting in Patna as he is not happy with the performance of his subordinates.

"Nitish ji had earlier said that the officers will be posted in the field on the basis of their performance. But today's transfer doesn't reflect so," said an SP-rank officer. The performance of over one-and-a half dozen SPs was not found to be satisfactory during a law and order review meeting.

New SPs: Siwan sub-divisional police officer Kartikey Sharma has been the made new SP of Lakhisarai; Jhanjahrpur SDPO Nidhi Rani will be the SP of Naugachhia. Similarly, Dalsinghsarai SDPO has been appointed SP of Sheohar and Jagdishpur SDPO Dayashankar will be the police chief of Sheikhpura.