Hurt and humiliated, transferred DGP Inamdar decides to resign

Hurt and humiliated, transferred DGP Inamdar decides to resign
PRAFULLA MARPAKWAR

MUMBAI, JANUARY 5: In a move to embarrass the Congress-led Democratic Front government, transferred Director General of Police Arvind Inamdar has decided to resign Inamdar, who was shifted last night to a newly created post of Director General and Advisor (Admn Reforms and Training, Pune), today declared his decision to put in his papers while handing over the charge to his successor S Malhotra.

``Of course, its a demotion. After putting in 36 years of distinguished service, I feel I have been cheated by the government. I will be putting in my papers tomorrow,'' Inamdar announced.

Later, talking to The Indian Express, Inamdar declined to comment on the role of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal in his unexpected transfer, saying, his colleagues and the people of Maharashtra will draw their own conclusions on his unceremonious exit from the department. He however went on add: ``Probably, I am not in good books of the new government. That appears to be the onlyreason for my transfer.'' Significantly, the order, signed by Additional Chief Secretary V Rangnathan, gives no reason for Inamdar's abrupt transfer.

Inamdar revealed that ever since the new government came to power on October 18 last, on several occasions he had communicated to Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh as well as Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal that he was ready to resign if the new government intended to make changes in the police department. ``I specifically told the Chief Minister that if you are keen on a change of guard, I am prepared to quit, but neither he nor Bhujbal informed me that my services were no more required by the government,'' an agitated Inamdar said. ``For whole of Tuesday, I was in a meeting convened by Minister of State for Home Manikrao Thakre and when I reached my office in the evening, my transfer order was lying on my table,'' a visibly hurt Inamdar informed.

Calling his transfer shocking and unfortunate, Inamdar pointed out that if the government was treating anofficial of the rank of Director General of Police in such a shabby manner, then less said the better about such a government. ``From my abrupt transfer, it is clear that honesty, professionalism, competence and integrity are not valued in the police force. I am not making the statement because they transferred me, but the government has miserably failed in maintaining the dignity of the post of the Director General,'' Inamdar remarked.

After the news of Inamdar's transfer, a large number of police officials, ministers, bureaucrats and leading litterateurs spoke to Inamdar and expressed surprise and shock.

Inamdar, an IPS official of the 1966 batch was to retire in November 2000. After V V Nagarkar, who was shifted to the Home Guards 16 years ago, Inamdar is the second DG who's been transferred.