Calcutta, May 31: IPS officer Sanjoy Mukherjee has been appointed the director of security in Bengal, a post that mainly involves matters related to the chief minister's protection.

Mukherjee, a 1989-batch officer, will replace Virendra, an IPS officer of 1985 batch who was in the post for the past six years.

An order issued by Nabanna this evening said Virendra had been posted as the director-general of (armed) police.

"The director of security is in charge of the chief minister's safety and that of the VIPs in the state and visiting dignitaries. Only handpicked officers are chosen for the post," a senior official said.

Mukherjee has served in posts like deputy commissioner (headquarters) of Calcutta police, inspector-general of police in the CID and the director of state fire and emergency services. He was posted as the additional director of security for the past five months.