GUWAHATI, Oct. 14: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), a joint body of Meitei civil society organisations, has demanded construction of a full-scale replica of the original Manipur Rajbari in Shillong at a separate site.
In a statement issued by L. Jayenta, convenor, IPR, sub-committee, COCOMI, on Tuesday, the committee expressed condemnation and deep anguish over the dismantling of the historic Manipur Rajbari (Redlands Building) at Laitumkhrah. while stating that the “demolished remains of the original structure be preserved in their existing state as a lasting testament to Manipur’s erased heritage.”
“This act of dismantling, executed under the project “Infrastructure Development of Heritage Complex, Rajbari, Shillong” by the Planning and Development Authority (PDA), Government of Manipur, represents a grave failure in respecting and preserving Manipur’s historical and cultural heritage. The official justification that the building was structurally weak and infested with termites cannot justify the complete demolition of a monument so deeply intertwined with the political and emotional identity of the Manipuri people,” Jayenta stated.
Notably, the Manipur Rajbari is the erstwhile royal residence of Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh and the site where the contentious Merger Agreement of Manipur with the Indian Union was signed in 1949.
“The Rajbari in Shillong is not merely a structure; it is a living testament to Manipur’s sovereign past and its unholy journey into modern India. Its destruction under the pretext of “reconstruction” is an act of historical insensitivity that has deeply wounded the collective sentiment of the people of Manipur,” he stated.
COCOMI has taken serious note of the fact that, “despite repeated assurances from the government since 2022 that the Rajbari would be renovated while preserving its original architecture and integrity, the building was dismantled in its entirety without adequate public consultation, expert involvement or transparent disclosure of project details.”
“Such an action amounts to a betrayal of public trust and a violation of the moral responsibility owed to the history and people of Manipur. The monitoring and supervision committee for reconstruction and restoration of Manipur Rajbari must investigate the circumstances leading to the dismantling of Manipur Rajbari, including the role of the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) and the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur,” the committee stated.
