Ajay Kumar Bhalla Appointed as Manipur Governor Amid Ongoing Ethnic Clashes; New Governors Named for Four States

Former Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been appointed the new Governor of Manipur, replacing Anusuiya Uikey.

His appointment comes at a critical time, as Manipur continues to grapple with ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities.

The Rashtrapati Bhavan announced Bhalla’s appointment on Tuesday evening. Alongside this, four other gubernatorial appointments were made.

1. VK Singh as Mizoram Governor: Former Army Chief and ex-minister VK Singh has been named the new Governor of Mizoram.
2. Kerala-Bihar Governor Swap: Arif Mohammed Khan, the Governor of Kerala, has been moved to Bihar, while Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the Governor of Bihar, will take over in Kerala.
3. New Odisha Governor: The resignation of Raghubar Das as Odisha’s Governor has paved the way for Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, the outgoing Mizoram Governor, to assume the role.

A governor serves as the constitutional head of a state, carrying out functions akin to those of the President of India at the central level.

Bhalla’s Tenure and Experience

Ajay Kumar Bhalla is a retired 1984-batch IAS officer from the Assam-Meghalaya cadre. His term as Union Home Secretary, from August 2019 to August 2024, is noted as the longest tenure in this critical position.

Bhalla’s experience in managing internal security is expected to be pivotal in navigating Manipur’s ongoing unrest.

During his career, Bhalla has held several prominent roles:

• Secretary in the Ministry of Power (2017-2019)
• Director General of Foreign Trade
• Director of the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (2016-2017)
• Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce
• Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Coal

Bhalla’s academic background includes a Master’s in Botany from the University of Delhi, an MBA from the University of Queensland, and an M.Phil. in Social Sciences from Punjab University.

Originally from Jalandhar, Punjab, Bhalla’s new role as Governor comes at a crucial time when over 250 people have lost their lives in ethnic clashes since May 2023.

Turmoil in Manipur

The conflict in Manipur erupted on May 3, 2023, following a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM).

The rally opposed a directive from the Manipur High Court to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list. This sparked violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki communities, plunging the state into turmoil.

Bhalla, known to be a trusted aide of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, handled the Manipur crisis during his tenure as Home Secretary.

His appointment is seen as a strategic move to address the ongoing conflict and restore peace in the state.

Governor Swap Between Kerala and Bihar

Arif Mohammed Khan, who has had a contentious relationship with the Kerala government, has been appointed as the new Governor of Bihar.

Khan’s tenure in Kerala was marked by disputes with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the CPI(M) over appointments to university positions.

His recent vice-chancellor appointments to technical and digital universities faced criticism for allegedly bypassing High Court directives.

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, the outgoing Bihar Governor, will now assume the governorship of Kerala. This swap aligns with the broader reshuffling announced by the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

VK Singh’s Transition to Governorship

Retired General VK Singh, a former Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Road Transport and Highways, has been named the new Governor of Mizoram.

Singh, who served as an MP from Ghaziabad since 2014, announced earlier this year that he would not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, stating his intention to serve the country in a different capacity.

Odisha Welcomes New Governor

The President has accepted Raghubar Das’ resignation as Odisha’s Governor. Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, the outgoing Mizoram Governor, will now serve as the Governor of Odisha. This appointment comes as part of the broader gubernatorial reshuffle.