Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of Manipur, has been assigned the additional duties of Governor of Nagaland. This decision follows the death of La Ganesan, who was the previous Governor. La Ganesan, aged 80, passed away in a private hospital in Chennai on Friday, August 16.
The government issued a statement indicating that, because of the passing of La Ganesan, the President has appointed Ajay Kumar Bhalla, the Governor of Manipur, to take on the responsibilities of Governor of Nagaland, in addition to his current duties.
Ajay Kumar Bhalla, a retired IAS officer, was appointed as the Governor of Manipur by President Droupadi Murmu last year. He is a retired IAS officer from the 1984 batch and was appointed Union Home Secretary on August 22, 2019. He served as Home Secretary of India for approximately five years, concluding on August 22, 2024.
In response to the passing of Governor La Ganesan, a seven-day period of state mourning has been announced in Nagaland, from August 16 to August 22. The state government has announced that the national flag will be flown at half-mast on all government buildings during this mourning period. Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio acknowledged that La Ganesan’s legacy would inspire future generations, also highlighting his efforts to strengthen unity and facilitate development within Nagaland.
La Ganesan, who became the 19th Governor of Nagaland in 2023, had previously served as Governor of Manipur and West Bengal (additional charge). Following a fall at his residence in T. Nagar, Chennai, on August 8, La Ganesan sustained a severe head injury. He was admitted to a private hospital in Chennai for treatment, but his condition did not improve, and he subsequently passed away.