Manipur Government Implements Restructuring in Administration and Police Services
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Synopsis
On January 29, 2023, the Manipur government executed a significant reshuffle in both police and administrative sectors, affecting around 70 officers. This comes after over 21 months of ethnic strife that has resulted in numerous casualties and displacements.
Key Takeaways
- Major reshuffle involving 70 officers in Manipur.
- Ethnic tensions between Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribes persist.
- New appointments include Prashant Kumar Singh as Chief Secretary.
- Over 60,000 people remain displaced due to ongoing violence.
- Ethnic conflict began with a 'Tribal Solidarity March' on May 3, 2023.
Imphal, Jan 29 (NationPress) After approximately 21 months since the ethnic conflict erupted in Manipur in May 2023, the state government executed significant adjustments in both the police and general administration on Wednesday, as reported by officials.
The directives issued by Manipur Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh involved the transfer and reassignment of around 70 officers, including senior IAS, IPS, and Manipur Civil Service personnel.
Among those affected, 10 IPS and Manipur police service officers received new postings, while a total of 60 bureaucrats, comprising IAS and Manipur civil services, underwent a reshuffle.
The regions of Manipur Hill and Valley have been divided along ethnic lines due to the ongoing conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo tribes. Several organization leaders have claimed that even the administration and police are experiencing divisions based on ethnicity following the violence.
On January 3, former Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla assumed the role of Governor of Manipur, succeeding Lakshman Prasad Acharya, who was also overseeing Assam.
Prashant Kumar Singh, a 1993-batch IAS officer, became the Chief Secretary of the troubled state on January 15, taking over from Vineet Joshi. Prior to this, he served as Secretary of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
In the orders issued on Wednesday, Senior IAS officer Paulunthang Vaiphei was designated as the Additional Chief Secretary. Additionally, IPS officer Rakesh Balwal, who was Superintendent of Police in Thoubal district, has been reassigned as SP of Imphal East district.
Since the onset of ethnic violence on May 3, 2023, at least 250 lives have been lost, and over a thousand individuals have sustained injuries in clashes between the Kuki-Zo tribal community and the non-tribal Meitei people.
Moreover, more than 60,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes and villages, currently residing in relief camps across various districts for the past 21 months.
The unrest between the non-tribal Meiteis and the tribal Kuki-Zo community initiated on May 3, 2023, following a 'Tribal Solidarity March' held in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community's request for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.
