Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla was given additional charge as the Nagaland Governor on Saturday, according to a communique issued by the President's office.

The vacancy had arisen due to the demise of Nagaland Governor La Ganesan.

Ganesan, 80, died on Friday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai, a Raj Bhavan official in Kohima said.

"Consequent upon the demise of Shri La Ganesan, Governor of Nagaland, the President of India has appointed Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Governor of Manipur, to discharge the functions of the Governor of Nagaland, in addition to his own duties," the note read.

Nagaland Governor cremated with military honours

Nagaland Governor and former BJP leader La Ganesan was cremated here on Saturday with full military honours.

Chief Minister M K Stalin placed a wreath on behalf on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin paid floral tributes to the mortal remains on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government.

Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, along with Deputy CMs, Yanthungo Patton, T R Zeliang and the Chief Secretary and DGP of Nagaland, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi, Ministers Ma Subramanian and S Regupathy, Union Ministers including L Murugan paid their last respects.

Members of the Armed Forces, representing the Army, Navy and Air Force, brought the casket by serving as pallbearers and following a gun salute, the body of the Nagaland governor was cremated.

Ganesan served as the governor of Manipur, West Bengal and Nagaland between 2021 and 2025.

Ganesan was appointed the 21st governor of Nagaland on February 12, 2023 and he assumed office on February 20 that year.