Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Tripura cadre, Rajiv Singh, was on Thursday, 1 June, appointed the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur in place of P Doungel, who belongs to the Kuki tribe.
The development comes amidst Manipur witnessing weeks-long violence since the beginning of May between tribals and non-tribal groups, during which at least 75 people are said to have died.
Vineet Joshi, Chief Secretary, Manipur told The Quint, "The decision to appoint Singh as the new DGP has been taken in the view of the current situation in the state."
The change came amid Home Minister Amit Shah's visit to the state, and is being looked upon as a bid to portray the state's police force as more neutral – by bringing in a non-tribal, non-Meitei official to take charge of the police.
Meanwhile, Doungel has been posted as Officer on Special Duty (Home).
Singh, who had been working as an Inspector General (Operations) in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was sent to Manipur on Tuesday, 30 May, the Ministry of Home Affairs said in an order on Thursday.
"The undersigned is directed to refer to the subject cited above and to convey the approval of Appointments Committee of the Cabinet for Inter-cadre deputation of Shri Rajiv Singh, IPS (TR:93), presently working as IG, CRPF, from Tripura cadre to Manipur cadre for a period of three years from the date of joining, in relaxation of the policy as a special case in public interest," the order said.
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