Editor
Manipur Governor given additional charge after the passing of La Ganesan
Kohima, August 22 – Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the current Governor of Manipur, has been entrusted with the additional responsibility of Nagaland following the demise of Governor La Ganesan. He will be officially sworn in as the new Governor of Nagaland at a ceremony scheduled for August 25 at Raj Bhavan, Kohima, according to an official communiqué.
La Ganesan, who was serving as Nagaland’s Governor, passed away on August 15 in Chennai after a brief illness, leaving the constitutional position vacant. His demise was widely mourned across the Northeast, with state leaders highlighting his role in fostering unity and governance in the region.
Bhalla, a retired 1984-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre, brings with him decades of administrative experience, having previously served as the Union Home Secretary of India until his superannuation in August 2023. His career has been marked by significant contributions to national security, disaster management, and policy-making at the highest levels of government.
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio extended a warm welcome to Bhalla on behalf of the people of the state. “His vast administrative experience will be invaluable in advancing peace, harmony, and progress in Nagaland,” Rio stated, adding that the state looks forward to working closely with the new Governor in addressing key developmental and socio-political challenges.
The swearing-in ceremony at Raj Bhavan is expected to be attended by state ministers, legislators, senior officials, and representatives of various tribal bodies and civil society organizations. Bhalla’s appointment comes at a crucial juncture for Nagaland, as the state continues to pursue peace talks with Naga groups and implement developmental initiatives in line with the Centre’s vision for the Northeast.
With Bhalla’s dual charge of Manipur and Nagaland, political observers note that his understanding of the region’s complexities will play a pivotal role in strengthening Centre-state relations and maintaining stability.