In a major bureaucratic reshuffle, the Manipur government has transferred 13 IAS officers across various departments amid the ongoing imposition of President’s Rule in the state. The transfers, notified earlier this week, mark one of the most significant administrative changes in recent months.
Among the prominent appointments, 2018 batch IAS officer Pooja Elangbam, who previously served as Director of Tourism, has been named the new Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bishnupur. She replaces L Bikram, who will now assume her former role in the Tourism Department.
A Subhash Singh, a 2015 batch officer and former DC of Thoubal, has been posted as Additional Secretary in the Home and Personnel departments and will also take over as Director of Institutional Finance. Hannah Kahmei, currently Joint Secretary in the Public Health Engineering Department (Veterinary), will replace him as DC of Thoubal.
Other key changes include:
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Ranjan Yumnam, former Director of Institutional Finance, appointed as Additional Secretary in the PHE Department.
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Luckysom Ngamsha, previously Joint Secretary in the Textiles Department, is now Director of Tribal Affairs and Hills.
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Nivedita Lairenlakpam, who served as Transport Director, becomes the new DC of Imphal East, replacing Khumanthem Diana, who has been transferred as Director of Transport.
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Krishna Kumar (2013 batch), outgoing DC of Tengnoupal, has been appointed Special Secretary in the Power Department.
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Saurabh Yadav, formerly Joint Secretary for Transport and Power, takes over as the new DC of Tengnoupal.
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Robert Singh Kshetrimayum (2010 batch), Secretary of the Manipur Lokayukt, will now also handle the Minor Irrigation Department.
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U Chaitanya (2022 batch), ADC of Kakching, has been posted as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Waikhong.
These changes come at a time of political uncertainty in Manipur. President’s Rule was imposed on February 13, following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The state has been grappling with ethnic unrest between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023, leading to over 260 deaths and the displacement of thousands.
Though the Manipur Legislative Assembly remains legally intact until 2027, it currently stands suspended, exacerbating governance challenges in the state.
