CRPF probe gives clean chit to officer

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May 27, 2008 12:40 IST

The CRPF has given a clean chit to DIG Alok Raj who was accused of rioting and not complying with the West Bengal government's orders during the panchayat elections at Nandigram in East Midnapore district.

It said the allegations against DIG Alok Raj were found to be "baseless" in its internal inquiry.

"From the internal inquiry, all is clear. Raj was doing his duty and the allegations levelled against him are absolutely baseless," CRPF Director-General V K Joshi said on Monday.

The inquiry was conducted following registration of FIRs against Raj posted in Nandigram for "rioting".

Though the West Bengal Police had initially registered a case of molestation against the officer, it was later turned into a case of rioting.

He was also accused by CPI-M MP Lakshman Seth of moving about during the panchayat polling without a magistrate, violating a directive of the state home department.

The CRPF had complained to the Centre against "deliberate victimisation" of its officers posted at Nandigram for maintaining law and order during the panchayat polls in the trouble-prone area.

The MP was earlier shown on TV asking the DIG not to venture out on patrolling during election time and a hated argument between Raj and Seth was captured on camera.

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