IT News
Imphal, Jan 3:
Ajay Kumar Bhalla was sworn in as the 17th Governor of Manipur in a ceremony held today at the Darbar Hall of Raj Bhavan, Imphal. The oath of office was administered by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Manipur, Justice D. Krishnakumar.
The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, Speaker of the Manipur Legislative Assembly Th. Satyabrata Singh, Ministers, former Chief Ministers O. Ibobi Singh and Radhabinod Koijam, Members of the Legislative Assembly, Chief Secretary, Security Advisor, Director General of Police, and senior civil, military, and police officials.
Following the oath-taking, Governor Bhalla received the Rashtriya Salute and inspected the Guard of Honour presented by personnel from the Manipur Rifles and India Reserve Battalion. He formally assumed office from the forenoon of January 3, 2025.
Later in the day, Lieutenant General Abhijit Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding of the 3 Corps, accompanied by senior military officials, called on Governor Bhalla at Raj Bhavan. The officers briefed the Governor on the current security situation in the state, including deployment details in border areas and other critical regions.
He is retired IAS officer from the 1984 batch (Assam-Meghalaya cadre). Governor Bhalla also served as India’s Home Secretary for nearly five years until August 2024.
His appointment was approved by President Droupadi Murmu, with an official notification issued on December 24, 2024.
He hails from Jalandhar, Punjab and his appointment comes at a critical time for Manipur, which has been grappling with ethnic violence since May 2023.
