Imphal, Manipur – A significant reshuffle within the administrative echelons of Manipur has been executed, impacting the roles of thirteen Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers, as per an official notification released earlier today.
Among the notable changes, Pooja Elangbam, who previously held the position of Tourism Director, has now been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur district. Taking over her responsibilities in the tourism sector will be L Bikram, the former Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur.
A Subash Singh, the outgoing Deputy Commissioner of Thoubal, has been assigned the crucial role of Additional Secretary for both the Home and Personnel departments. Furthermore, Singh will also assume the charge of Director of Institutional Finance. The position of Thoubal Deputy Commissioner will now be held by Hannah Kahmei, who previously served as the Joint Secretary of the Public Health Engineering Department (veterinary).
Ranjan Yumnam, the current Director of Institutional Finance, is set to take on the responsibilities of Additional Secretary within the PHE department. Meanwhile, Luckysom Ngamsha, the Joint Secretary of Textiles, will now serve as the Director of the Tribal Affairs and Hills department.
In other significant transfers, Nivedita Lairenlakpam, the Director of Transport, has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East. Khumanthem Diana, the current Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East, will succeed her as the Director of Transport. Krishna Kumar, the Deputy Commissioner of Tengnoupal, has been designated as the Special Secretary of Power, with Saurabh Yadav, the Joint Secretary of Transport and Power, stepping in to replace him in Tengnoupal.
Robert Singh Kshetrimayum, the Secretary of the Manipur Lokayukt, has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Secretary of Minor Irrigation. Additionally, U Chaitanya, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Kakching, has been transferred to the position of Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Waikhong.
This extensive bureaucratic reshuffle occurs against the backdrop of President’s rule, which was imposed in Manipur on February 13th. The state has been grappling with intense ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, resulting in a tragic loss of over 260 lives and the displacement of thousands. The imposition of President’s rule followed the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, and the state assembly, with its term extending until 2027, is currently under suspended animation.
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