The West Bengal government appointed 1998 batch IPS officer Manoj Kumar Verma as the new Kolkata Police Commissioner on Tuesday. This significant administrative change follows a crucial meeting between Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and protesting junior doctors, during which it was announced that the then-commissioner Vineet Goyal would step down from his position.
In the reshuffle, Vineet Goyal has been reassigned as the Additional Director General (ADG) and Inspector General (IG) of the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police.
Who is Manoj Kumar Verma?
Manoj Kumar Verma has had a distinguished career in law enforcement and brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Born into a family where his father served in the Indian Army, Verma had an early exposure to discipline and service. His early education took place in various Kendriya Vidyalayas across the country, followed by a stint at a military school in Belgaum, Karnataka. Verma later pursued mechanical engineering at an engineering college in Kota. Soon after graduation, he began preparing for the civil services exams and eventually joined the Indian Police Service in the 1998 batch.
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Verma has held several key positions in the West Bengal Police. He served as the Police Commissioner of Siliguri and later as the Inspector General (IG) of Traffic in West Bengal in 2016. The following year, he was appointed as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Darjeeling. His career trajectory continued upward as he took on the role of ADG and Inspector General of the Intelligence Bureau.
In January 2024, Verma was appointed as the Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order, where he played a significant role in maintaining public safety. During his tenure as the ADG (Law and Order), Verma made headlines during the Nabanna Abhijan rally, where he labeled the march "illegal" and an attempt to incite unrest. Verma prioritized public safety and the welfare of students appearing for NTA exams over the protests, asserting that the protests were conducted without the necessary permissions.
Administrative Changes
With Verma's appointment as the Kolkata Police Commissioner, Jawed Shamim, an IPS officer of the 1995 batch, will step into Verma's former role as the ADG and Inspector General of Law and Order. This reshuffling reflects the West Bengal government's effort to address ongoing administrative challenges and ensure efficient law enforcement in the state.
The new Police Commissioner, Manoj Kumar Verma, is expected to bring his extensive experience and strict approach to law and order to Kolkata. His track record suggests a commitment to public safety and an unwavering stance against activities deemed unlawful.
