Our Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI, JUNE 1: It’s almost a knee-jerk reaction. The new DGP of Manipur is from the Tripura cadre.
It does not need knowledge of any rocket science to guess that former Tripura ADGP Rajiv Singh has been named as new DGP in trouble-torn Manipur at the instance of none other than Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
An order from Raj Bhavan, Imphal says, ‘the Governor of Manipur is pleased to order that Rajiv Singh, a 1993 batch IPS officer of Tripura cadre should take charge of the post of DGP, Manipur, from P Doungel immediately upon joining the State Government’.
Singh had vast experience in anti-militancy operations in Tripura as well as Maoist problems in Jharkhand, as he was once posted as CRPF IG of that region.
The decision to replace Doungei came within hours of Union Home Minister Amit Shah concluding his visit to the State and to affected areas like in Churachandpur.
Singh has also served as Director, Fire and Emergency Service and Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) of Tripura.
The Central Government has virtually taken over the reins of governance in Manipur and has also since the first week of May appointed former chief of the Central Reserve Police Force and retired IPS Kuldiep Singh as a Security Adviser to the Manipur Government.
Rajiv Singh has also served in strife torn Kosovo as an UN peace-keeping officer. He also had a stint with the CBI.
On face value, Amit Shah ‘saves’ Chief Minister N Biren Singh, his favourite till recently. Shah also announced a Peace Committee under Manipur Governor Anusuiya Uikey, which will have representatives of all political parties and leaders from both sides.
Only consolation for Biren Singh is that he has been ‘retained’ in office and during the media conference, the Chief Minister sat on Shah’s right side!
