Sonia Narang may go to Bellary

The superintendent of police in Bellary is likely to be transferred following the February 1 kidnap and murder of a trader in that district. The government has already transferred the deputy commissioner of Bellary, D Shivappa, slated to retire in October this year. The official was yet to be given a new posting.

G Janardhana Reddy, minister in-charge of Bellary, was also favouring the replacement of police superintendent MN Nagaraj. Reddy earlier observed that the murder could have been avoided if the police acted as soon as the complaint was filed.
It has been learnt that the government has short-listed a few officers, including deputy commissioner of police (south) Sonia Narang, to replace Nagaraj.

Narang, known for the tough stands she had taken in the past, may be posted in Bellary. The government has been waiting for her opinion.

Trader Pankaj Jain was kidnapped from Ananthpur Road on February 1 night, and was murdered despite paying a ransom of Rs7 lakh.

The incident sparked a series of protests and debates in Bellary. The debates were centered on the slack law and order situation in the mining district.

Incidentally, Reddy had earlier prevented deputy commissioner Shivappa’s transfer twice, but took the lead to replace him following the protests.