New Delhi/Imphal: More than two years after being deputed to Manipur to assist in investigations related to ethnic violence, an IPS officer and a Delhi Police inspector have been repatriated to the Delhi Police, following orders issued by the Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. The Governor has simultaneously requested the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to depute suitable substitute officers to ensure continued supervision of ongoing investigations.
The officers were originally sent to Manipur on the directions of the MHA, with their services placed at the disposal of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe FIRs linked to the ethnic unrest in the state.
Background of Central Deputation to Manipur
According to official records, on September 13, 2023, the then Additional Commissioner of Police (Headquarters), P K Mishra, wrote to the CBI Director in response to an MHA communication dated August 18, 2023.
In the letter, Mishra informed that four officers were nominated by the Delhi Police for deployment in connection with Manipur violence-related cases:
- IPS Shweta Chauhan (2010 batch)
- IPS Esha Pandey (2010 batch)
- IPS Harendra Kumar Singh (2011 batch)
- Inspector Praveen Kumar Maheshwari
Their services were placed at the disposal of the CBI for investigations into FIRs registered in connection with the ethnic violence.
Promotions and Earlier Repatriations
While Esha Pandey was deputed directly to the CBI, the remaining three officers were assigned to work with the Manipur Government.
Subsequently, on December 28, 2023, both Pandey and Chauhan were promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General (DIG). Following their promotions, the two officers were repatriated to their parent cadre after serving for a few months.
Latest Repatriation Order
In an order issued earlier this month, H Balkrisna Singh, Additional Secretary (Home), Manipur, informed the MHA that the Governor was “pleased to repatriate”:
- IPS officer Harendra Kumar Singh, and
- Inspector Praveen Kumar Maheshwari,
to their respective parent departments, in line with MHA directions and a proposal submitted by the Manipur Police Department.
Officials noted that the MHA had earlier requested all states to nominate Superintendent of Police-rank officers for attachment to Manipur. Harendra Kumar Singh, who was an SP at the time of deputation, was promoted to DIG on January 1, 2025, and has now completed over two years of service in Manipur.
Request for Substitute Officers
In the same communication, the Manipur Government formally requested the Centre to depute replacement officers to maintain continuity in investigations.
“The MHA is hereby requested to provide attachment of suitable substitute officers to the Manipur Government to ensure continued supervision and investigation of cases related to incidents of violence, in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” the letter stated.
Ethnic Violence in Manipur
Manipur has been reeling under ethnic violence since May 3, 2023, when clashes erupted following a ‘tribal solidarity march’ organised in the hill districts. The march was held in protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Since then:
- Over 200 people have been killed
- Several hundred injured
- Thousands displaced
Multiple FIRs related to killings, arson, sexual violence, and displacement are under investigation by central and state agencies, under the supervision mandated by the Supreme Court of India.
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