Shillong, Oct 15: Members of the Manipuri Elders’ Consortium, Shillong (MECS) and the Shillong Manipuri Students Union (SMSU) protested against the demolition of the Manipur Rajbari.
The protesters gathered at the site also known as also known as the Redlands Bungalow and wanted punishment against the officials involved in the demolition of the over 95-year-old bungalow on October 8.
MECS PRO K Chirom said the insensitive demolition of Rajbari Bungalow in the name of restoration under the directions of Planning and Development Authority, Manipur was in concurrence with the development plan by Department of Art and Culture, Manipur.
He said the protest was to demonstrate displeasure with deep anguish against the dismantling of the Bungalow within a short time despite their requests to the different government departments over the past one month to not demolish the structure but rather to restore with minimum damage and utmost care.
“Members of MECS and SMSU demanded for punishment of the officials involved in the plan to demolish the more than 95 years old Redlands Bungalow. They also demanded to withhold further construction of the bungalow till the culprits are punished.
“The committee formed by the Government to ‘monitor and supervise the reconstruction’ of the demolished bungalow is not acceptable, as the officers responsible for crime cannot be members in the supervising committee,” he said.
