Manipur Violence Probe: IPS Officer and Delhi Police Inspector Repatriated After Two Years, State Seeks Fresh Central Deputations to Continue Investigations
More than two years after their deployment to Manipur for assisting investigations into the state’s prolonged ethnic violence, one Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and a Delhi Police Inspector have been formally sent back to their parent cadres. The repatriation has been ordered by Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who has simultaneously approached the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to immediately depute suitable replacement officers to prevent any disruption in ongoing probes.
The officers had been serving in Manipur under central deputation, with their services placed at the disposal of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Their primary responsibility was to assist in the investigation of multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered in connection with incidents arising out of the ethnic unrest that has gripped the state since 2023.
How Central Officers Were Deployed to Manipur
Official records indicate that the process of deputing Delhi Police officers to Manipur began in mid-2023. On September 13, 2023, the then Additional Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), P. K. Mishra, wrote to the Director of the CBI in response to a Ministry of Home Affairs communication dated August 18, 2023.
In that correspondence, Mishra confirmed that the Delhi Police had nominated four officers to assist investigations related to the Manipur violence cases. The officers deputed were:
IPS officer Shweta Chauhan (2010 batch)
IPS officer Esha Pandey (2010 batch)
IPS officer Harendra Kumar Singh (2011 batch)
Inspector Praveen Kumar Maheshwari
All four officers were attached either directly to the CBI or placed with the Manipur Government to support the investigation of violence-related FIRs.
Promotions and Initial Repatriations
Among the four officers, Esha Pandey was directly deputed to the Central Bureau of Investigation, while the remaining three officers were attached to the Manipur Government for field-level coordination and supervision.
On December 28, 2023, both Esha Pandey and Shweta Chauhan were promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG). Following their elevation, they were repatriated to their respective parent cadres after completing a few months of service in Manipur.
Latest Repatriation Ordered by the Governor
In a recent order issued earlier this month, H. Balkrisna Singh, Additional Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur, formally informed the Ministry of Home Affairs that the Governor had approved the repatriation of:
IPS officer Harendra Kumar Singh, and
Inspector Praveen Kumar Maheshwari
The order stated that the decision was taken in accordance with MHA directions and based on a proposal submitted by the Manipur Police Department.
Officials noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier advised all states to nominate officers of Superintendent of Police (SP) rank or above for attachment to Manipur. At the time of his deputation, Harendra Kumar Singh was serving as an SP. He was later promoted to the rank of DIG on January 1, 2025, and has now completed more than two years of service in the state.
Manipur Government Seeks Replacement Officers
Along with the repatriation order, the Manipur Government has formally requested the Centre to send replacement officers without delay. The objective is to ensure continuity in supervision and investigation of cases linked to the ethnic violence.
In its communication to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the state government emphasized that fresh deputations are essential to comply with judicial directions.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is requested to provide attachment of suitable substitute officers to the Government of Manipur to ensure uninterrupted supervision and investigation of cases related to incidents of violence, in accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” the letter stated.
Ethnic Violence in Manipur: Ongoing Crisis
Manipur has been facing severe ethnic unrest since May 3, 2023, when violence erupted following a ‘tribal solidarity march’ organised in the hill districts. The protest was triggered by opposition to the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
The prolonged conflict has had devastating consequences:
More than 200 people have lost their lives
Hundreds have sustained injuries
Thousands have been forced to flee their homes
Numerous FIRs involving allegations of murder, arson, sexual violence, and mass displacement are currently under investigation. Both central and state agencies are probing these cases under the supervision mandated by the Supreme Court of India.
With the repatriation of senior officers, the timely deployment of replacements has become critical to sustaining the pace and credibility of investigations into one of the country’s most serious internal security and humanitarian crises in recent years.
