Jamshedpur: In a major administrative reshuffle aimed at tightening law enforcement, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday night removed East Singhbhum Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Pandey and Seraikela-Kharsawan Superintendent of Police Nidhi Dwivedi with immediate effect, holding them responsible for lapses in maintaining law and order and failing to effectively control crime.
Both officers have been attached to the state Police Headquarters until further orders.
Announcing the decision on his official X account, the Chief Minister said the action was taken after serious shortcomings in policing and public safety came to light. He stressed that ensuring the security of citizens remains the government’s top priority and warned that negligence or lack of accountability at any level would not be tolerated.
To strengthen policing and restore public confidence in the Kolhan region, Hemant Soren directed the Kolhan Commissioner and the Additional Director General (ADG), Ranchi, to remain in the affected districts and conduct daily reviews of the law-and-order situation. The Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Kolhan, has also been instructed to stay in Jamshedpur and personally oversee policing and security arrangements.
The action comes amid growing public anger over a series of recent incidents, particularly the killing of 24-year-old Himanshu Singh outside the Double Down (DD) Pub in Jamshedpur’s Bistupur area. Singh was allegedly stabbed to death following a violent altercation outside the pub, reportedly in the presence of police personnel deployed at the spot.
The incident triggered widespread protests and led to the suspension of four police personnel, including the Officer-in-Charge of Bistupur police station.
The removal of Seraikela-Kharsawan SP Nidhi Dwivedi also follows criticism over the alleged custodial assault of an Adivasi woman at the Kapali police outpost. Earlier, three police personnel, including the outpost in-charge, were suspended in connection with the case.
The Chief Minister’s move is being seen as a strong message that the state government will take strict action against police officers found wanting in maintaining public order. The decision also reinforces the government’s stated zero-tolerance approach towards crime, negligence and administrative accountability within the police force.