The Center on Thursday appointed Manipur Police Chief Rajeev Singh as Secretary (Security), according to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT). Singh, a 1993-batch IPS officer, served as Director General of Police in Manipur for about three years.
“The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Rajiv Singh, IPS (TR:1993), Director General of Police, Government of Manipur to the post of Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat with effect from the date of his assuming charge of the post, or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” the DoPT order said.
Singh took over as Manipur police chief on May 30, 2023, in the early days of the Methi-Kuki clashes in the state. A day after the Meite-Kuki clashes broke out on May 3, the government transferred the then police chief, P Donjile (1998 IPS batch), who is from the Kuki-Zu community.
Ethnic clashes also led to an ethnic split in the force, with Meite police being transferred to the valley while Kuki Zu officers were transferred to the hill areas. Interestingly, the second most senior police officer was Doungle’s brother C Doungel (IPS 1990 batch).
By seniority, he was also on the verge of becoming the chief, but due to ethnic clashes, he could not be considered and had to leave Imphal. During such a situation, on May 30, 2023, the government brought in a non-Kuki and non-Miti police officer to head the force. Cadre Singh was changed from Tripura to Manipur police before his appointment.
Singh’s new appointment as Minister (Security) will be based in Delhi and under the Cabinet Secretariat.
The Secretary (Security) coordinates the administrative functioning of the Special Protection Group (SPG), the elite protection agency responsible for the security of the Prime Minister. The Secretary also monitors the administrative performance of VIP security.
The Manipur government is yet to announce the next police chief. The two most senior officers after Singh are Ashutosh Sinha (also 1993 batch) and Loping Kailon (1994 batch). Although the ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki have not yet been resolved, new clashes between the Nagas and Kuki have pushed the state to the brink once again. Authorities are currently working to rescue at least 14 Kuki Zo and six Naga people who were allegedly kidnapped by members of rival groups amid the ongoing violence. The government may release Singh only after this crisis is resolved.
