In a significant reshuffle, President Droupadi Murmu on December 24, 2024, appointed new governors for five states—Odisha, Mizoram, Kerala, Bihar, and Manipur. The appointments were announced in a statement from the President’s Secretariat and will take effect upon the respective governors assuming office.
Manipur:
Former Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla has been appointed as the Governor of Manipur. His appointment comes at a critical time, as the state continues to grapple with ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities that began in May 2023. Bhalla’s extensive administrative experience is expected to aid in stabilizing the region.- Mizoram:
Former Indian Army Chief General (Retd.) V.K. Singh will take over as the Governor of Mizoram. - Odisha:
Outgoing Mizoram Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati has been named the Governor of Odisha, succeeding Raghubar Das, whose resignation has been accepted. - Kerala:
Outgoing Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar has been appointed as Kerala’s new Governor. - Bihar:
Outgoing Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan will now take charge as the Governor of Bihar.
Challenges in Manipur
Ajay Bhalla’s appointment as Manipur’s Governor is particularly noteworthy, given the ongoing ethnic strife in the state. The violence, which began on May 3, 2023, during a rally organized by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM), stemmed from tensions over the inclusion of the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes (STs) list.
Since the conflict erupted, it has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced approximately 60,000 people. Bhalla’s leadership will be crucial in addressing the state’s pressing challenges and fostering peace.
These appointments reflect the government’s strategic approach to addressing regional issues and strengthening governance across the states.
