Shortly after the removal of Tripura’s health, science and technology minister Sudip Roy Barman because of alleged “anti-party activities”, the state government has sent director-general of police Akhil Kumar Shukla on a long leave of 70 days.

Additional director-general of police Rajiv Singh, who was earlier removed from his position for “law-and-order failure” during the Lok Sabha elections, was given Shukla’s charge.

A notification issued on Friday by deputy secretary of general administration (personnel and training) Animesh Das said, “Shukla was sanctioned earned leave of 70 days from June 1 to August 9 along with permission to leave the station.”

The notification said the director-general of police is likely to return to his post and station on expiry of leave, till then Singh would hold additional charge of his office.

A senior officer from the chief minister’s office (CMO), on condition of anonymity, said the director-general of police was sent on leave because of failure of law and order in the state. “This decision was taken because of requirements which arose in the administration. The director-general of police failed to maintain law and order under his watch on several occasions. All recent administrative decisions, including transfers were taken to ensure optimum output according to the priorities of the government,” the CMO official said.

Along with the director-general of police, 16 more officials were transferred, including former chief secretary L.K. Gupta.

Gupta was posted as the director-general of State Institute of Public Administration and Rural Development on May 24, which is essentially a demotion and is considered a punishment transfer.

A total of 11 other IAS officers, two IPS officers and two officials of the Tripura Civil Service were transferred.

A source in the state secretariat said they have received reports that some government officials were doing their jobs against the state priority and, therefore, were transferred.