Manipur in Crisis: New Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel Takes Charge Amid Rising Militancy and Speculation Over President’s Rule Extension
Senior IAS officer Puneet Kumar Goel assumes charge as Manipur's Chief Secretary during continued militant crackdowns and uncertainty over the extension of President’s Rule. The political and security situation remains tense across the state.
NewsSutra
A Critical Appointment in a Volatile State
In the backdrop of continuing violence and security concerns, senior IAS officer Puneet Kumar Goel formally took charge as the Chief Secretary of Manipur this week. His appointment comes at a time when the state is grappling with persistent unrest, fresh waves of militant arrests, and an increasingly likely extension of President’s Rule.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in consultation with the Governor of Manipur and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), appointed Goel—a 1991 batch officer of the AGMUT cadre—with the express purpose of restoring administrative stability and speeding up governance reform in the conflict-ridden state.
With insurgency-related incidents spiking over the last three months and civil unrest refusing to die down, Goel’s arrival has taken on both administrative and symbolic significance. The region’s political landscape, long marred by ethnic clashes, fractured leadership, and armed insurgencies, is again in the national spotlight.
Political Context: President’s Rule and the Breakdown of Governance
Manipur has been under President’s Rule since March 2025 following the collapse of the coalition government after weeks of escalating violence between Meitei and Kuki communities. The unrest, which has continued to spread across Imphal, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and adjoining hill districts, prompted the Union government to take direct administrative control of the state under Article 356 of the Constitution.
A decision on the extension of President’s Rule is expected by the end of July 2025. Sources from the Home Ministry have hinted that a six-month extension is under serious consideration due to the volatile security situation and lack of consensus among local political actors to form a stable government.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to present a detailed report on the Manipur situation to Parliament during the current Monsoon Session, with a formal decision expected shortly after. For official releases and policy briefings, readers can refer to the Ministry of Home Affairs press portal.
Puneet Kumar Goel’s Profile: A Man of Experience
Puneet Kumar Goel brings with him over three decades of administrative experience, having served in key roles across Delhi, Mizoram, Lakshadweep, and most recently, the Government of Goa as Chief Secretary. His tenure in Goa was marked by digital governance initiatives, law-and-order management during tourism booms, and disaster coordination during cyclones.
Goel has also served in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) as Director during the early 2000s, giving him a close understanding of federal policy frameworks.
Sources in the North Block indicate that Goel’s appointment is aimed at “restoring civil administration and reinforcing chain-of-command structures that have broken down across departments in Manipur.” His immediate focus areas include:
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Revamping district-level governance
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Strengthening coordination between paramilitary and state police
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Initiating trust-building measures with local tribal and civil society groups
Security Situation: Arrests and Counter-Insurgency Efforts Continue
Since January 2025, over 120 individuals linked to banned insurgent groups have been arrested, including key operatives from People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), and splinter factions of NSCN (IM) operating near the Indo-Myanmar border.
In the past two weeks alone, coordinated raids by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Assam Rifles, and Manipur Police Special Task Force led to the arrest of eight high-value suspects allegedly involved in extortion, arms smuggling, and cross-border espionage.
On July 17, security forces neutralized a hideout in Ukhrul District, recovering:
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3 AK-47 rifles
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Over 2,000 rounds of ammunition
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Satellite phones and encrypted communication devices
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Fake Indian currency notes (FICN) allegedly routed via Bangladesh
Officials from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) have warned that Manipur may be experiencing a “cross-pollination of insurgencies”, where militant groups from neighboring states collaborate using foreign funding and sophisticated logistics.
For updates on anti-terror operations, the NIA’s case archive provides verified case reports and legal status.
Ethnic Tensions Remain Fragile
While security operations continue, the social fabric of the state remains deeply fractured. The longstanding divide between hill tribes (primarily Kukis and Nagas) and valley-dwelling Meiteis has intensified, with both sides alleging targeted violence, discrimination, and breakdowns in aid distribution.
The All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) and Meitei Coordination Committee (MCC) have announced separate protest plans if President’s Rule is extended without clear timelines for elections. Tensions also flared up during a statewide curfew relaxation on July 15, when a peaceful protest in Bishnupur turned violent, leaving three injured.
Human rights organizations including Amnesty International India and People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) have issued statements urging for restoration of internet services, relocation of displaced communities, and neutral community policing.
Rebuilding Governance: Goel’s Immediate Challenges
Puneet Kumar Goel’s first public address emphasized the restoration of trust between citizens and the administration. He acknowledged the “difficult terrain of governance” and promised a “people-first approach” with transparency and accountability.
His top priorities include:
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Resuming public services in affected districts
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Digitizing welfare delivery to prevent corruption and delay
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Engaging youth and unemployed populations to prevent militant recruitment
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Monitoring media and social platforms for hate speech and disinformation
He also announced a revival package to rehabilitate over 8,000 internally displaced families currently living in temporary shelters.
The Chief Secretary has formed a five-member inter-departmental crisis coordination cell, including officials from Home, Revenue, Tribal Affairs, Social Welfare, and Law, to address the crisis holistically.
Public Sentiment: Hope Mixed with Skepticism
While civil society groups have cautiously welcomed Goel’s appointment, many locals remain skeptical about the Centre’s long-term commitment. Critics argue that bureaucratic reshuffles alone cannot resolve structural issues like ethnic polarization, corruption, and unemployment.
A grassroots campaign, “Peace For Our People,” supported by over 40 local NGOs and student unions, has called for:
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A Truth and Reconciliation Commission
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Representation from all ethnic groups in rebuilding governance
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A timeline for assembly elections
The media has also played a vital role in reporting from conflict zones. National outlets such as The Hindu, Scroll.in, and The Indian Express have provided ground-level reporting, while regional newspapers like Imphal Free Press and The Sangai Express continue to publish despite logistical hurdles.
What Lies Ahead: Extension of Rule or Path to Election?
With Goel at the helm, the Union government faces a critical choice—whether to extend President’s Rule or announce a phased plan for fresh elections. Either way, the decisions taken over the next few weeks will likely shape the future of Manipur’s democracy and its place in the Indian Union.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s report to Parliament, the High-Level Committee on Tribal Affairs, and the Election Commission’s assessments will all play a decisive role.
Conclusion: High Stakes, Fragile Peace
The situation in Manipur remains deeply sensitive and unstable. While the appointment of an experienced Chief Secretary like Puneet Kumar Goel provides a glimmer of hope, systemic challenges such as militancy, ethnic distrust, and political fragmentation remain formidable.
For the state to move forward, it will take more than administrative changes—it will require a national commitment to inclusive peace-building, governance reform, and democratic renewal.
As Parliament debates the state’s future and security agencies continue their operations, the people of Manipur wait for signs of peace—not just law and order, but justice, representation, and reconciliation.
