Former Union minister Najma Heptulla has been appointed the governor of Manipur, reported ANI. Heptulla, who resigned as the minority affairs minister on July 12 after she turned 75, will be the 18th governor of the state.

She will take over the post from V Shamuganathan, former vice president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who has been looking after the party's Manipur affairs since September 30 last year. The state Assembly elections are scheduled for February 2017.

Meanwhile, Banwarilal Purohit was appointed the governor of Assam and VP Singh Badnore the governor of Punjab. The three new governors will be sworn in soon.