Panaji: A significant administrative reshuffle has been carried out within the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh–Goa–Mizoram and Union Territories) cadre, affecting several senior IAS and IPS officers across Goa, Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Delhi, and other Union Territories. The transfers involve key policing and administrative positions and come in the backdrop of recent developments in the state, including action taken after the Shirgao Zatra stampede.
IPS Officers Reshuffled Across Goa and Arunachal Pradesh
As part of the reshuffle, IPS officer Akshat Kaushal, who was serving as Superintendent of Police (SP) in Goa, has been transferred to Arunachal Pradesh.
In a reciprocal move, IPS officer Shekhar Prabhudesai has been posted to Goa from Arunachal Pradesh, marking his return to the coastal state under the latest cadre reallocation.
Additionally, IPS officer Shruti Arora has been transferred to Goa from Ladakh, strengthening the police leadership in the state as part of the new postings.
IAS Officers Brought to Goa from Ladakh and DNHD & DD
The reshuffle also includes the transfer of two IAS officers to Goa from other Union Territories.
- IAS officer Michael D’Souza has been transferred to Goa from Ladakh.
- IAS officer Nikhil Dessai has been posted to Goa from Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
These postings are expected to bolster the administrative framework in Goa, with both officers bringing experience from their previous assignments.
IAS Officers Transferred Out of Goa
At the same time, two IAS officers currently serving in Goa have been moved out under the reshuffle.
IAS officer Sanjeev Ahuja has been posted to Delhi, taking up a new role in the national capital.
IAS officer Ankita Mishra has been transferred to Arunachal Pradesh, marking a shift from her previous assignment in Goa.
Reshuffle Follows Action After Shirgao Zatra Stampede
The transfers come shortly after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant publicly stated that action was taken following the Shirgao Zatra stampede. According to the chief minister, disciplinary action was initiated against SP Akshat Kaushal and the then North Goa Collector Sneha Gitte in connection with the incident.
While the government has not officially linked the transfers to the stampede, the timing of the reshuffle has drawn attention, especially with Kaushal’s transfer out of Goa soon after the incident.
Administrative Changes Across the AGMUT Cadre
The latest reshuffle reflects routine cadre management within the AGMUT framework, which frequently sees officers rotated across states and Union Territories. However, the scale of the changes and their proximity to recent events in Goa have made the reshuffle particularly noteworthy.
