Tension Among Kolkata Police after Tala OC arrested, Now Police made 14 point demands and proposals

In a significant development, Tala Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Abhijit Mandal was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last Saturday, triggering unrest within Kolkata’s police force. The arrest has raised questions among lower-ranking officers, with some speculating whether Mandal’s apprehension was the result of higher-ups directing him to execute duties that led to this outcome.

A section of police officers has expressed quiet frustration, creating tension within the department. Several lower-level officers are reportedly anxious, with a key source revealing that meetings have been conducted to decide the next steps. During one such meeting, 14 proposals were discussed, including demands for legal support and financial aid for Mandal’s family, as well as strategies to safeguard the police force’s reputation in the media.

One noteworthy incident occurred when around 100 lower-ranking officers surrounded then-Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal, stating they would no longer follow instructions given via WhatsApp calls. The growing tension led senior officials to visit Mandal’s residence on Monday in an attempt to pacify the situation. Three top police officers—Additional Commissioner V. Solomon Nessa Kumar, Vidisha Kalita, and Arish Bilal—visited Mandal’s family, offering their support.

In a statement following the visit, Nessa Kumar said, “Kolkata Police is a family, and Abhijit is a part of that family. We are here to ensure he receives full support.” However, insiders claim that the visit was a result of internal pressure.

Mandal was arrested in connection with a murder and rape case involving a medical student. Currently in CBI custody, he is accused of being part of a larger conspiracy, with allegations that evidence was tampered with. This arrest has caused unrest among the lower ranks of Kolkata Police, who believe Mandal was merely carrying out his responsibilities.

One of the primary demands from police officers includes full legal support for Mandal, with assistant commissioners and inspectors required to attend court hearings on his behalf. They also called for enhanced security at Mandal’s residence in Survey Park.

Media representation has also emerged as a critical issue. Officers have proposed the formation of a platform comprising retired police officials to present a balanced view of the force in select news channels, countering one-sided allegations against the police. There are also demands to boycott media channels that have been critical of the police force. Some officers suggested hiring experts to manage social media campaigns to improve the police’s public image.

A meeting was held on Sunday to address these concerns, and while there was a brief discussion on whether police officers should halt work for an hour in protest of Mandal’s arrest, it was decided that they would continue their duties for now. Senior officers have assured that all proposals will be considered.

This incident has laid bare the growing dissatisfaction among lower-ranking police officers, who feel vulnerable and unsupported in the face of legal challenges arising from their duties. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Kolkata Police will manage the internal discord while addressing the legal proceedings against Abhijit Mandal.