SHILLONG, Feb 7 � Based on a complaint filed by the Congress-led Government, the Election Commission today has removed Meghalaya Director General of Police, Kulbir Krishan from his post.
Krishan was replaced by Prem Singh, a 1977-batch Assam-Meghalaya IPS cadre.
Krishan has now been posted as Director General of Prisons with additional charge of Director General of Civil Defence and Home Guards.
The Election Commission, without divulging the nature of complaint, however, added that Krishna has been removed to ensure �free and fair� poll.
Chief Secretary WMS Pariat did not return calls to speak on the issue and moreover, top police officials were tight-lipped on the matter.
The decision to remove the Director General at this crucial juncture of polls has raised eyebrows, especially when the counter-insurgency operations are gaining momentum in Garo Hills region. It was alleged that some of these militant groups have nexus with politicians who are out to influence voters through intimidation.
Nomination papers: Meanwhile, 351 nomination papers were found valid after scrutiny of papers which completed today. There are 24 women candidates in this list.
The Congress is contesting all the 60 seats while its arch-political rivals BJP are contesting in 13 seats. The United Democratic Party is contesting 50 seats, the National People�s Party 27, Nationalist Congress Party 21, Hill State People�s Democratic Party 17, Meghalaya Democratic Party 2, Khun Hynniewtrep National Awakening Party 4, Communist Party 1, Garo National Council 2, Lok Janshakti Party 4, Samajdwadi Party 10 and Independents 140.