Controversy Surrounds Demolition of Historic Manipur Rajbari: Reconstruction Promises Face Public Skepticism

The Manipur government has issued a clarification regarding the iconic Redlands Building in Shillong, stating that it will be reconstructed while maintaining its original architectural design following its demolition that sparked protests.

Officials emphasized there was "no intention to erase the historical building," responding to allegations from Manipur civil society groups who questioned why the historically significant structure was demolished without transparent explanation to the public.

Known also as 'Manipuri Rajbari,' this landmark building held tremendous historical importance as the venue where Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh, the last ruler of the princely state of Manipur, signed the agreement to merge with the Union of India in September 1949.

The building additionally served as the residence of Manipur's last ruler in Shillong, which later became Meghalaya's capital in 1972.

Controversy erupted when engineers completely demolished the structure this week, leading to widespread criticism.

Manipur's Planning and Development Authority (PDA), which is implementing the "reconstruction" project, explained on Saturday that the building was over 80 years old and had not received timely repairs.

According to the PDA, the Manipur Art and Culture Department had proposed work on the "heritage complex" to the North Eastern Council (NEC), which approved the project in July 2023.

The agency stated: "One of the main components of the project is the reconstruction/restoration of Rajbari building which is very old and dilapidated. The moth-eaten wooden posts, rafters and purlins and leakage of rain in the building worsened the structures."

Initially, the PDA dismantled only a dilapidated portion but later decided to remove the entire structure due to concerns that the remaining parts might collapse.

They assured that "the original architectural design of the building including dimensions of the rooms and its height shall be absolutely maintained during reconstruction," emphasizing that the project aims to ensure a longer lifespan for future generations.

The situation has been complicated by apparent changes in plans over time. In August 2021, former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced that the state had secured the Rajbari land after negotiations with the Meghalaya government. By June 2022, he declared they would renovate the place without altering its original structure.

In December 2022, Singh and PDA Chairman Lourembam Rameshwor Meetei unveiled the foundation stone for a project titled 'Infrastructure Development of Heritage Complex, Rajbari, Shillong'.

When images of the demolished site began circulating on Friday, Singh expressed disappointment, stating he was "never informed and consulted." Later, he added that he received information that "PDA is going to construct a new building in the same old design."

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma clarified that his government had no involvement in this matter, as the Rajbari stood on Manipur government land with the state's Art and Culture Department overseeing the project.

Adding to the controversy are questions about plans to build a Manipur Bhawan on the same site. Civil society groups and former Minister of State for External Affairs Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh have questioned whether modern restoration techniques were considered before opting for complete demolition and reconstruction.

According to a report in The Sangai Express, a 12-member civil society delegation from Manipur that visited the Rajbari in August 2024 was informed that development of the Manipur Bhavan would be completed within two years. However, Saturday's PDA statement made no mention of the Manipur Bhawan project.

The Meitei Alliance, representing Meitei community organizations globally, expressed particular concern that the demolition occurred during President's rule "without any transparent explanation to the public, ignoring appeals from concerned citizens to preserve this site of immense heritage value."

They have requested Governor AK Bhalla to investigate the circumstances surrounding the demolition authorization and urged authorities to disclose whether heritage assessments or expert consultations were conducted beforehand.

The Alliance called for a comprehensive heritage preservation policy to prevent similar incidents, stating: "The demolition of the Manipuri Rajbari is a deep wound to the collective memory and dignity of the people of Manipur. Even though the building is gone, its historical spirit must be honoured, not erased."