Jai Narayan Pankaj, who joined as the new Superintendent of Police of Bargarh district on Saturday evening, said that he would now give priority to the need of a free and fair by-election in the Bijepur Assembly constituency in the district.
He told the media that he considers it to be a great challenge for him for conducting the by-poll in a truly transparent manner.
After the election is over, he would concentrate on curbing crimes, road accidents and ensure safety and security for the people of the district, he added.
Pankaj was recently transferred here from Jagatsingpur district. The BJP had a few days back approached the Election Commissioner of India demanding transfer of the incumbent district Collector and SP of Bargarh alleging that they were working in favour of the ruling BJD. On the recommendation of the Election Commission of India, the State Government appointed Yamini Sarangi as the new Collector and Pankaj as the new SP of Bargarh. Sarangi was earlier the Collector of the same Jagatsinghpur district.