Three cops put on notice

PATNA: The state police HQ on Tuesday issued show-cause notices to Patna SP (traffic) Prantosh Kumar Das, Paliganj ASP Mithilesh Kumar and Secretariat DSP Ashok Kumar Chaudhary for their failure to prevent the clash between the supporters of CM Nitish Kumar and JD (U) MP Sharad Yadav near the CM house on Saturday.

ADG (HQ) S K Singhal said the three officers were put on notice on the basis of the reports of zonal IG Naiyyar Hasnain Khan and the district administration. “The reports recommended action against the three officers after which the HQ decided to give them a chance to clarify their position,” Singhal said.

Sources said the SP (traffic) had been directed by Patna SSP Manu Maharaaj to remain physically present near the CM house to monitor the traffic, but he was allegedly not present there. Patna City ASP Harimohan Shukla and magistrate Saifullah Khan were the only senior officials present at the spot, the sources added.

Seven officers, including Sargeant Major Uday Kumar, Secretariat SHO S Kumar, three ASIs and two constables have been suspended in this regard. The Sargeant Major failed to deploy forces at the spot even after the SSP’s prior order, the IG said and added 17 miscreants had been arrested on the basis of CCTV footage.