AK Bhalla takes oath as Governor of Manipur

By Our Staff Reporter

IMPHAL, Jan 3: Ajay Kumar Bhalla was today sworn in as the 17th Governor of Manipur in a solemn swearing in ceremony held in the Durbar Hall of the Raj Bhavan.

High Court of Manipur Chief Justice Dr Krishnakumar administered the oath of office and secrecy to the newly appointed Governor.

After the swearing in ceremony, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla received the Rashtriya Salute before inspecting a guard of honour given by Manipur Rifles and IRB personnel.

Ajay Kumar Bhalla took over the charge of Manipur Governor before noon today.

Chief Minister N Biren, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker Th Satyabrata, Cabinet Minister Y Khemchand, Th Biswajit, Dr Sapam Ranjan, Khashim Vashum, L Susindro (Yaima), Opposition leader Okram Ibobi, MLAs, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi, DGP Rajiv Singh, top other ranking civil and police officials and former Chief Minister Radhabinod Koijam attended the swearing in ceremony.

Speaking to media persons after the swearing in ceremony, Chief Minister N Biren stated that Ajay Kumar Bhalla is a man of word who has insightful knowledge of all major issues of the country and the North East.

Biren exuded confidence that the governorship of Ajay Kumar Bhalla would certainly bring peace in Manipur.

On being enquired about the apology he made through media, Chief Minister N Biren stated that some people have been wrongly interpreting his apology and making dry arguments.

“They don’t know what my apology really meant. As the Chief Minister, I was expressing heartfelt sadness over the killings and displacement of thousands of people. I was saying it’s time to forget all these and forgive each other”, Biren elucidated.

“Those who are politicising my apology have an intention to prolong the crisis”, the Chief Minister asserted.

On the other hand, later in the evening, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla along with the first lady and family members visited Shree Shree Govindajee Temple at Palace Compound.

The Governor and his family members attended the Sandhya Aarti and prayed for peace and prosperity of the State.