A Troubling Reminder of Priorities by Governor

The new Governor of Manipur convened a high-profile security meeting, during which he directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to prioritize the safety and security of citizens. He also urged officers from the Army and paramilitary forces to extend their fullest cooperation to the administration to maintain the state’s law and order. While such directives may seem standard on the surface, they raise questions about the state of governance and inter-agency collaboration in a region often marred by unrest.
The meeting, attended by an array of senior officials including Chief Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, DGP Rajiv Singh, and representatives from the Army and paramilitary forces, underscored the seriousness of the situation. Among the attendees were Maj Gen Ravroop Singh (IGAR South), Maj Gen S.S. Kartikeya (GOC 57 Mountain Division), Vipul Kumar (IGP CRPF), and other senior officers from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Border Security Force (BSF). The composition of the meeting itself suggests an environment of heightened security concerns requiring collective action.
Yet, the Governor’s explicit call for cooperation between the administration and security forces is concerning. Cooperation between agencies should be intrinsic to the maintenance of law and order. The fact that this request had to be made suggests a lack of synergy that could exacerbate the state’s vulnerabilities. The Governor’s appeal to the Army and paramilitary forces for “fullest cooperation” similarly concerns. Why was such a plea necessary? Shouldn’t seamless collaboration between the state police, Army, and paramilitary troops be a given, especially in a state like Manipur, where law and order challenges are persistent? These questions highlight systemic gaps that demand closer scrutiny.
Instances of miscommunication or operational friction between security forces and civilian administration are not uncommon in India, particularly in conflict-prone regions. However, in a state like Manipur, where instability can quickly spiral, such disconnects can have severe repercussions. The onus is on both the administration and security forces to ensure that their efforts are synchronized and their priorities aligned. Anything less is a disservice to the people they are sworn to protect.
The Governor’s directive to the DGP to prioritize public safety raises implications. It is reasonable to ask whether such prioritization was lacking in the first place. Law enforcement’s primary mandate is the safety and security of citizens. If a head of state feels compelled to emphasize this foundational principle, it suggests either a lapse in execution or a misalignment of priorities within the system.
At the heart of this issue is the erosion of public confidence in the state’s ability to maintain law and order. The very act of convening such a high-level meeting—and the statements emerging from it—can be read as an acknowledgment of this loss. Citizens expect their leaders and institutions to act decisively and cohesively, especially in times of crisis. When these expectations are not met, trust is replaced by cynicism.
The Governor’s intervention is important for governance and institutional coherence. Effective governance is not merely about issuing orders; it is about creating systems that function smoothly and independently. When such systems falter, it is often the most vulnerable who bear the brunt. It also highlights systemic weaknesses that must be addressed to prevent future crises.