Mukesh Singh appointed as Manipur's new DGP as the state undertakes a major IPS reshuffle, with Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo taking charge of intelligence and law and order.
Imphal, May 30: The Manipur government has appointed senior IPS officer Mukesh Singh as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of Manipur, a move that comes amid ongoing efforts to restore normalcy and strengthen security management in the conflict-hit state.
According to an order issued by the state government, Mukesh Singh, an AGMUT cadre IPS officer of the 1996 batch currently serving on inter-cadre deputation in Manipur, will formally assume charge as the state's police chief from June 1.
The appointment follows approval granted by the Supreme Court on May 27 in connection with a petition seeking permission to appoint a DGP from outside the Manipur cadre through inter-cadre deputation. Following the court's clearance, the state government issued orders appointing Singh to the top police post.
Alongside the appointment, the government carried out a reshuffle involving three senior IPS officers. Ashutosh Kumar Sinha has been posted as Chairman and Managing Director of MANIDCO and Director of Inquiry, Manipur Lokayukta, in his own grade pay. Lufeng Kailun has been appointed Managing Director of MPHC Limited, while Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo has been posted as Additional Director General of Police in charge of Armed Police, Modernisation, Intelligence, and Law and Order.
Manipur-gi Director General of Police (DGP) oigadouriba Mukesh singh, IPS ngasi Imphal-da thunglakhare. AGMUT cadre-gi 1996-batch-ki IPS officer asi hanna Ladakh (Union Territory)-gi DGP oirambani. pic.twitter.com/8DEJ07NIZl
— Poknapham / The People's Chronicle (@PoknaphamNews) May 30, 2026
Mukesh Singh arrived in Imphal on Saturday afternoon and was received at the airport by senior Manipur Police officials. Speaking briefly to reporters, he said he had just arrived in the state and would first take charge of his new responsibilities before commenting on issues relating to law and order and insurgency.
Later in the day, Mukesh Singh met Chief Minister N. Biren Singh at the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Babupara. In a message shared on social media, the Chief Minister congratulated the incoming DGP and expressed confidence that his leadership would contribute to maintaining law and order and advancing efforts to restore peace in the state.
Called on by Shri Mukesh Singh, who recently assumed charge as the Director General of Police, Manipur, at the Secretariat today.
— Khemchand Yumnam (@YKhemchandSingh) May 30, 2026
I extend my best wishes to him as he takes on this important responsibility. With his vast experience and distinguished service record, I am… pic.twitter.com/DO3EkFM8na
Mukesh Singh brings with him extensive experience in counter-terrorism, intelligence operations and internal security. He served as Inspector General of Police of Jammu Zone from 2019 before being promoted as Additional Director General of Police in 2021. His tenure coincided with a sensitive period following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, during which he oversaw policing and security operations across the Jammu region.
During his four-year stint as the operational head of Jammu Province, he was involved in addressing communal tensions, countering drone-based security threats and strengthening anti-narcotics operations. Security agencies credit the Jammu Police under his leadership with intercepting drone-borne explosive consignments and enhancing anti-infiltration measures along vulnerable border areas.
Before serving in Jammu and Kashmir, Mukesh Singh was part of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), where he worked in various capacities including Superintendent of Police, Deputy Inspector General and Inspector General. He was associated with investigations into several major terror cases, including the 2011 Delhi High Court blast and the Samjhauta Express bombing case.
Notably, one of his earliest assignments with the NIA involved probing insurgent and extortion networks operating in Assam's North Cachar Hills, providing him with experience in dealing with security challenges in the Northeast.
Apart from field operations, Singh has also contributed to policing literature and training. He co-authored the reference book Police Operations and published professional papers on anti-terrorist operations and investigation procedures.
The appointment of Lhari Dorjee Lhatoo as ADGP in charge of law and order, intelligence and armed police is also being viewed as significant. Lhatoo has more than 27 years of experience across several critical security assignments, including postings in the National Investigation Agency, Intelligence Bureau, Special Protection Group and Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
During his tenure in Manipur, Lhatoo played a key role in coordinating several major arms recovery operations. In one of the largest such operations conducted in the state, joint teams of Manipur Police, central forces, the Army and Assam Rifles recovered 328 firearms and more than 9,300 rounds of ammunition from different valley districts.
He also oversaw intelligence-based operations across the hill districts of Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Chandel and Churachandpur, resulting in the recovery of 203 weapons and 30 improvised explosive devices.
The appointments come at a time when Manipur continues to face complex security challenges arising from ethnic tensions, armed violence and the proliferation of looted weapons. The government appears to be placing experienced officers with backgrounds in intelligence gathering, counter-insurgency and inter-agency coordination at the forefront of the state's security apparatus.
With Mukesh Singh set to assume office on June 1 and Lhatoo entrusted with key operational portfolios, the new leadership team will be closely watched for its approach towards improving law and order and advancing peace-building efforts in the state.
