Nagaland governor Ravindra Narayana Ravi on Tuesday took oath here as the governor-designate of Meghalaya in place of Tathagata Roy and within an hour left for Nagaland.

Ravi, a former special director of the Intelligence Bureau and chairperson of the Joint Intelligence Committee, was administered the oath of office and secrecy by Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court Mohammad Rafiq at the Raj Bhavan at noon.

Chief minister Conrad K. Sangma, Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong and other ministers, officials and police officers attended the swearing-in ceremony.

Within an hour after taking oath, Ravi left Shillong for Nagaland.

Roy, who was outspoken on various issues including the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, stoked a controversy a few days back when he said that those who do not want divisive democracy should go to North Korea. Roy also maintained that no state government can legally have a view on the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill even as he termed opposition to the bill as the “height of absurdity”.

The governor-designate has two issues in hand to deal with while the state is in a fluid situation in the wake of a series of protests against the CAA.

Ravi has to study the ordinance that seeks to register people from outside who visit Meghalaya. It has been pending for governor’s approval since November.

The ordinance was brought by amending the existing Meghalaya Residents Safety Security Act, 2016, that proposes setting up of entry and exit points at various checkpoints of the state to stop influx.

Another issue the new governor has to address is the tussle between the state government and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) over removal of an executive committee led by chief executive member (CEM) Teiñwell

Dkhar and election of new CEM, Latiplang Kharkongor.

The state government has recommended imposition of administrator’s rule in the KHADC, but it is yet to be approved by the governor.

The KHADC is in a state of flux as neither Kharkongor nor Dkhar can function as the chief executive member.