Goa DGP removed for insubordination

Goa's Director General of Police Amod Kanth was on Thursday removed from the post on charges of "insubordination and serious disciplinary offence", capping months of his differences with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Parrikar said in Panaji that Kanth had "violated written government orders" and was removed after the Centre refused to take action despite repeated complaints by the state.

"When we brought the matter to the home minister's notice, the additional home secretary came here last week and made an appraisal, but nothing has come of it for the past two weeks," the CM said.

"Relations between the top police officer in the state and the government cannot be strained. We found that his style of functioning did not suit a small state like Goa. An officer has to follow orders of the state, it is not his domain to decide whether those orders are right or wrong.

"With international film festival round the corner, I did not want any complication and therefore relieved him," he added.

Parrikar said Deputy Inspector General of Police (CID), Muktesh Chander, was senior enough to handle the charge of the Goa police during the film festival, which begins on November 29.

Kanth's removal came a fortnight after the Parrikar government recommended to the Union home ministry to abolish the post of DGP and revert to the post of inspector general.

Asked about the state government's decision to keep the DGP's post in abeyance, Parrikar said, "We had taken a decision but no order has been passed. If the Centre reviews its decision as to whether Goa needs a DGP or not, we shall not keep it in abeyance. This is a signal to the Centre that they should review the post."

Parrikar said his government would suggest to the Centre three people who could lead the Goa police.

Parrikar had earlier claimed that the Centre had created the post of DGP for Goa without consulting the state government.

Asked for his reaction, Kanth said, "I would not like to say anything on the reasons [for my removal]. All I can say is that there are no reasons given."