On Saturday last, Chakraborty had called a press conference at the EFR headquarters at Salua during which he appeared before reporters with his face covered and lashed out at the state government and West Midnapore SP, holding them responsible for the deadly Naxal attack on Silda camp on February 15 in which 24 EFR jawans lost their lives.

“I have received his explanation. I will now write my comments and recommendations and send the report to the state Home department. It is the chief secretary and home secretary who will decide on the next course of action,” said Partho Bhattacharjee, Director General of the state Armed Police, while refusing to elaborate. He will take some time to decide on the issue before sending it to the seniors, the officer added.

Sources said the embattled IG has refused to take back his words. “He claims the security in the camp and the location were not proper. He also insisted that whatever he said against some police officers was right,” said a source in the Home department.

In his reply, the IG is said to have admitted that the manner in which he expressed himself might not have been right, saying his was an emotional outburst since 24 of his jawans had been killed.

Sources said the state government is unlikely to take harsh action like suspension against the IG considering the emotions involved and the fact that EFR jawans and their families are already enraged over the issue.