IMPHAL, August 8: Notwithstanding a recent official letter from the state Government to the Sana Konung Semgat Sagat Lup declaring its stance on the acquisition of the palace and asking for comments for the state government to consider, civil society organizations continued with demonstrating within the Palace complex against the government decision, today.
Volunteers and leaders of the Kangleipak Loina Sillon Lup, Yairipok; Awang Sekmai Advance Women Society and the Uripok Kombirei Keithel Meira Paibi, Apunba Lup today staged a sit in protest and a meeting against the decision.
The state government in a letter signed by the Deputy Secretary Arts and Culture, government of Manipur had said, “The state government is keen that the matter is settled early, so that restoration of the palace takes place at the earliest through a competent agency and is restored to its past grandeur”.
Speaking to media persons, Sana Konung Semgat Lup secretary P Araba Mangang said that in view of the official letter which was received by the Sana Konung on August 1, a public meeting will be held on August 10 to discuss the issue.
He said that the resolution of the public meeting which will be attended by all the civil organizations that had so far participated in the movement and the general public, will be final as far as the Lup is concerned, regarding the issue.
He further called upon the general public to attend the meeting.
Meanwhile, reacting to a point in the official letter which indicates that the titular king will be accommodated in a structure within the acquired area on lease for a period of 20/50 years on nominal rent and which is renewable, the Ethno Heritage Council has declared that unless the government takes back the statement by 6am of August 7, the council along with other like-minded organizations will launched several agitations immediately.
The HERICOUN declaration was made by the council’s president Mutum Churamani who was attending today’s meeting.
The HERICOUN president was referring to a statement in the letter which said, “… the titular king will be accommodated in a structure of sufficient standard within the acquired area, with a proper Sanggoi with sufficient rooms to accommodate the various Loishangs on lease for a period of 20/50 years renewable after the period on nominal rent”.
Kangleipak Loina Sillon Lup, president Sarang Nimai said that if the government wants to develop and restore the structure of the palace then it is welcomed; however, once the government acquires the palace, it will adversely affect the land’s culture and tradition.
He said, once the King is ousted from the Palace, it will naturally lose its grandeur and the history which is imbibed in it.