The Mamata Banerjee government on Tuesday suspended two policemen and dismissed a Home Guard from service in connection with the Anis Khan murder case, a day after a high-level special investigation team was set up to probe the death of the 28-year-old student leader.

The three were identified as assistant sub-inspector Nirmal Das, constable Jitendra Hembram and home guard Krishnanath Bera.

According to DGP Manoj Malviya, the step was taken after speaking with the family members of the victim and as a confidence-building measure to regain the trust of the locals.

Both Amta and Bagnan police stations had denied sending any police team to the Khan residence late on Friday night. There is still no clarity on the identity of the four men, one in police uniform carrying a firearm, and three others in mufti who paid a visit to the Khans on that fateful night.

The DGP did not confirm whether these three were among the four who went to the Amta locality. "The matter is still under investigation,” Malviya said.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday issued a 15-day deadline for the SIT to submit its report.

There is a possibility that the three were singled out for administrative punishment for not responding timely to the call made by the victim’s father, Salaam Khan.

Around 3am on Saturday, two hours after the alleged police team left the Amta house, a call was made to the police station. The police arrived at the spot on Saturday morning around 9am.

On Monday night, ADG CID (Operations) Meraj Khalid, joint commissioner of police (Barrackpore) Dhrubajyoti Dey and superintendent of police Howrah (Rural) Soumya Roy visited Amta police station and spoke with the policemen present.

Roy, the top Howrah (Rural) police officer, had on Monday claimed that a case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered against Khan at the Bagnan police station. He didn't , however, reveal any details. Also, it is not clear whether the four claiming to be from the police visited his house in connection with that case.

“He could have either slipped accidentally during the scuffle or died by suicide on seeing the cops at his home,” said a senior police officer.

Naushad Siddiqui, the Bhangor MLA of the Indian Secular Front, refused to believe the case against Anis.

“In my constituency, I have seen Trinamul men beat our supporters and then cases were filed against them,” he said.

Naushad demanded the government clarify why it took action against those policemen.

“What is the reason behind their suspension should be made public. If they are actually involved, then why have they not been arrested? What about the fourth person? According to Anis’ father, three of the men were wearing the uniform of civic volunteers, but no action has been taken against any civic volunteer. It is possible this action-taking is an attempt to stymie all protests,” Naushad said.

Naushad also refuted the chief minister’s claim that Anis was close to the Trinamul.

“He was Leftist and fiercely critical of the state government. Whoever has told the chief minister that he had close ties with Trinamul has misled her,” he said.