Imphal: In one of the most extensive bureaucratic reshuffles in recent months, the Manipur government has transferred 13 IAS officers across various departments. The move, outlined in an official notification issued earlier this week, comes as the state continues to function under President’s Rule.
Among the key changes, 2018 batch IAS officer Pooja Elangbam, the former Director of Tourism, has been appointed as the new Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Bishnupur district. She replaces L Bikram, who now assumes her previous role in the Tourism Department.
2015 batch IAS officer A Subhash Singh, who served as the DC of Thoubal, has been reassigned as Additional Secretary in the departments of Home and Personnel and will also take charge as Director of Institutional Finance. His post in Thoubal will be filled by Hannah Kahmei, currently Joint Secretary in the Public Health Engineering Department (Veterinary).
In other notable appointments, Ranjan Yumnam, previously Director of Institutional Finance, becomes Additional Secretary in the PHE Department.
Luckysom Ngamsha, formerly Joint Secretary in the Textiles Department, has been named Director of Tribal Affairs and Hills.
Transport Director Nivedita Lairenlakpam has been posted as the new DC of Imphal East, replacing Khumanthem Diana, who has been transferred to take over as Director of Transport.
2013 batch IAS officer Krishna Kumar, the outgoing DC of Tengnoupal, has been appointed Special Secretary in the Power Department.
Saurabh Yadav, previously Joint Secretary handling Transport and Power, will now serve as the new DC of Tengnoupal.
Additional changes include 2010 batch IAS officer Robert Singh Kshetrimayum, Secretary of the Manipur Lokayukt, who will now also oversee the Minor Irrigation Department.
2022 batch IAS officer U Chaitanya, ADC of Kakching, has been posted as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Waikhong.
This administrative overhaul comes amid political uncertainty in the state. President’s Rule was imposed on February 13 following the resignation of Chief Minister N Biren Singh. The state has remained in turmoil due to ongoing ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which erupted in May 2023. The conflict has resulted in over 260 deaths and displaced thousands.
Although the Manipur Legislative Assembly remains constitutionally valid until 2027, it currently stands in suspended animation, further deepening the state’s governance challenges.
