Meitei Community Protests Demolition of Historic Manipur Rajbari in Shillong: Calls for Independent Investigation

Manipuri Elders' Consortium, Shillong (MECS), and Shillong Manipuri Students' Union (SMSU) gathered at the protest site to voice their concerns.

In Shillong, Meghalaya, members of the Meitei community assembled in large numbers to protest against the demolition of a historic building that once housed Manipur's last monarch.

The Redlands Building, commonly referred to as 'Manipur Rajbari,' held significant historical importance as the location where Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh, the final ruler of the princely state of Manipur, signed the agreement to merge with the Union of India in September 1949.

This iconic structure also served as the Maharaja's residence in Shillong, the scenic hill city that later became Meghalaya's capital in 1972.

Following protests sparked by the building's demolition over a week ago, the Manipur government explained that concerns about the structural integrity of the 80-year-old dilapidated bungalow prompted engineers to demolish it. The government stated their intention to reconstruct a new building while preserving all original fixtures and design elements.

However, this explanation has led Meitei civil society organizations to raise additional questions, including who authorized the demolition and why a project of such heritage significance was awarded to a contractor allegedly lacking experience in advanced heritage restoration work.

In response, the Manipur government has established a committee to oversee the reconstruction work.

K Chirom, spokesperson for the Manipuri Elders' Consortium, Shillong (MECS), issued a statement on Wednesday asserting that those responsible for the demolition should be excluded from the restoration process.

Members of the Shillong Manipuri Students' Union (SMSU) also visited the former Rajbari site, demanding explanations for the demolition.

Both civil society organizations have proposed forming an independent committee comprising restoration experts, architects familiar with Anglo-Assamese design, and professionals with knowledge of local climatic and cultural contexts.

The MECS and SMSU alleged that authorities hastily demolished the heritage bungalow despite repeated appeals made over the past month urging relevant government departments to explore alternatives that would preserve the original structure with minimal damage.

On September 10, the MECS had written to the state government requesting restoration of the bungalow "to preserve its structure for the years to come." Former Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh had also advocated for a minimally invasive preservation approach.

Protesters demanded an immediate halt to work at the Rajbari site until a thorough investigation is conducted and those responsible are held accountable.

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

Based on recommendations from the Manipur Art and Culture Department, the PDA submitted a proposal to the North Eastern Council (NEC) for work on the "heritage complex" in Shillong, which the NEC approved in July 2023.

"One of the main components of the project is the reconstruction/restoration of the 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," the PDA stated.

The Manipur government agency explained that they initially dismantled a deteriorated section of the building, but concerns arose that the remaining structure might collapse, necessitating the complete dismantling.

"The original architectural design of the building including dimensions of the rooms and its height shall be absolutely maintained during reconstruction. This reconstruction/restoration has been taken up for a longer span of building life for future generations. There is no intention to erase the historical building," the PDA assured.

The Manipur government acquired the Rajbari land on lease from the Meghalaya government in August 2021. Two projects are planned for the site - a new Manipur Bhawan, and an exhibition hall and gallery. The Bhawan is being constructed adjacent to where the Redlands Building once stood.