Rajiv Singh replaces P Doungel as Manipur police chief amid simmering ethnic tensions

Rajiv Singh is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the Tripura cadre. He was previously serving as the Inspector General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

His appointment comes amid ethnic tensions in Manipur that have claimed at least 80 lives.

He was transferred to Manipur on May 29 through an inter-cadre deputation from the Central government.

The current DGP, P Doungel, has been reassigned to the Home Department.

This move is perceived as an effort by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to maintain a balance within the local dynamics by appointing a police chief who is non-tribal and non-Meitei, with the intention of preventing any potential controversies or disputes.

Following the outbreak of violence in the state on May 3, the central government designated Kuldiep Singh, the former chief of the CRPF, as a security advisor to the Manipur government.

This development coincides with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement of a judicial investigation into the clashes and the formation of a peace committee aimed at resolving the ongoing crisis.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Shah highlighted the significance of dialogue in bringing an end to the violence.

Shah held a meeting with a group of women leaders (Meira Paibi) in Manipur.

“Had a fruitful discussion with the members of the different Civil Society Organizations today in Imphal. They expressed their commitment to peace and assured that we would together contribute to paving the way to restore normalcy in Manipur,” he said.

"A retired chief justice of the high court will be appointed to lead a judicial investigation, and the official announcement will be made soon," Shah said.

He further mentioned that the peace committee, to be overseen by the governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey, would consist of representatives from all political parties, as well as members from both the Kuki and Meitei communities, and various social organizations.

The Home Minister also revealed the government’s intention to initiate a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) investigation into five specific criminal conspiracies and one general conspiracy related to the violence in Manipur.

He expressed confidence that the situation would soon return to normalcy, describing the violence as a transient phase fuelled by misunderstandings.