Patnaik, a 1979 batch officer of the Indian Police Service,has been replaced by Additional Director General (Law and Order) Satyapal Singhof 1980 batch.
Patnaik has been promoted to the rank of Director General ofPolice and posted as Managing Director of Maharashtra State SecurityCorporation, state's Home Minister R R Patil told PTI, describing the transferas a "routine administrative process".
Seeking to downplay his shifting from the high-profile post,barely two days after a massive show of strength by Raj Thackeray's MNS at arally here to demand Patnaik's ouster, Patil said the file for his transfer wasfirst moved by the DGP's office on July 6.
A revised file was set in motion on August 8 and state'sChief Secretary had chaired a meeting in this regard on August 16, five daysafter the Azad Maidan incident where a protest called by Muslim organisationsagainst alleged persecution of members of the community in Assam and Myanmarturned violent.
Two protesters were killed in firing and over 50 injuredincluding more than 40 police personnel. Several police and media vehicles werevandalised and set ablaze, some women constables allegedly molested and threepolice weapons and ammunition snatched by the mob.
While Patnaik had come in for fulsome praise from Muslimleaders for exercising restraint in the face of grave provocation, theOpposition, particularly Shiv Sena and Raj Thackeray's MNS, went for hisjugular.
