The state government on Monday transferred 17 IPS officers, including three in the rank of additional director-general and four inspector-general.

Patna was among the six districts, which got new superintendent of police (SP).

Patna would have a new city SP, Prantosh Kumar Das, who was holding the post of superintendent of police (traffic). City SP Satyavir Singh would take charge of superintendent of police of Saran. Das would hold the additional charge of traffic SP till a new officer joins.

The Dussehra stampede on October 3 had brought to the fore the issue of inadequate number of IPS officers in Patna. Against the sanctioned strength of five IPS officers of the SP rank, it was doing with just four at that time.

On Monday, after transfer of the IPS officers, their number was brought down to three as the city superintendent of police was asked to double as traffic SP. “Patna does deserve a dedicated SP-rank officer for managing its chaotic traffic. Das would have a tough time ahead as city SP’s job is quite demanding and donning the additional role of traffic SP would be quite a challenge,” an IPS officer, who earlier served as Patna city SP, said.

The superintendents of police of Sheohar and East Champaran have also been transferred.

Shiv Kumar Jha, who was earlier posted at the BMP, would be new superintendent of police of Sheohar and Sunil Kumar, earlier posted as Sheohar superintendent of police, would be the new superintendent of police of East Champaran.

Sudhir Kumar Singh, earlier posted as East Champaran SP, was shifted to the BMP.

Patna and Darbhanga got new inspectors-general. Kundan Krishnan, who remained unaffected during the overhauling of Patna in the wake of last month’s Gandhi Maidan stampede, was transferred and made inspector-general of anti-terrorism squad at the police headquarters.

Darbhanga IG A.K. Ambedkar would replace Kundan. With the posting of Ambedkar, who belongs to the Dalit community, the government seems to have sent a message that it was serious about atrocities against the Scheduled Caste members.

The districts, which come under the jurisdiction of Patna IG, have witnessed increase in the incidents of crime against Scheduled Caste in the recent past.

Amit Kumar Jain, who was posted with the homeguards and fire services, would be the new IG of Darbhanga. Surprisingly, Paresh Saxena, who has been credited with giving a shape to the newly formed ATS, has been shunted and made special secretary in the home department.

Alok Raj, who was recently promoted to the additional director-general rank, has been made ADG, law and order. Raj had gained laurels during his posting in Singur (Bengal) for proper handling of the situation arising out of dispute over land possession. He was then posted with the CRPF.

Arvind Pandey, also promoted to the additional director-general rank, will look after the affairs of weaker sections in the CID. Sunil Kumar, who was earlier posted with the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation, has been transferred to CID as the additional director-general.

Additional director-general, CID, A.K. Upadhyay has been shifted to the BMP in the same capacity. S.K. Bhardwaj, due to retire in the next couple of months, will be ADG in state crime record bureau.