Imphal, November 20: After 113 years, ever since Manipur fell to the advancing British troops at the April 27, 1891 Khongjom War, the gates of the historic Kangla fort was today thrown open to the people of Manipur, with the DG of Assam Rifles Bhupinder Singh formally handing over the symbolic key of the fort to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in front of the Prime Minister during an emotion charged public meeting inside Kangla today.

As the clock struck 4.04 pm, DG of Assam Rifles Lt General Bhupinder Singh handed over a giant sized key of the Kangla to the Chief Minister in the presence of the Prime Minister and thousands of people to signify the complete evacuation of the security force from Kangla.

The Chief Minister also presented a painting of the Palace at Kangla to the Prime Minister sketched by renowned artist RKCS, who incidentally passed away today.

Assam Rifles also presented a painting of the Kangla to the PM.

Interestingly, though Kangla has been formally handed over to the State Government, the Assam Rifle sign board put up at the Western Gate is yet to be removed till the time of filing this report.

With thousands of people turning up for the momentous occasion (conservative estimate put the number at 20,000), the Prime Minister drove up near the dais in his bullet proof car at about 3.45 pm.

Chief Minister O Ibobi and his Ministerial colleagues and DONER Minister PR Kyndiah, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Digvijay Singh MoS for Defence BK Handique and MOS Prithiviraj Chavan accompanied the Prime Minister.

IFCD Minister Phungzathang Tonsing delivered the welcome address while Art and Culture Minister Ph Parijat hailed the handing over of the historic fort.

Addressing the gathering the Prime Minister said that the Kangla fort is the nucleus of Manipur and symbolises not only temporal power but also the spiritual and religious traditions of the people.

He added that Kangla also exemplifies the bravery of the Manipuri people who fought a fierce battle against the British.

The UPA Govt decided to hand over Kangla in response to the popular demand of the people, he added.

Chief Minister O Ibobi informed the gathering that Prof Nalini Thakur of the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi has been asked to draw up the project for the development of Kangla.

The State Cabinet has also worked out a Kangla Ordinance to protect the historic fort.

Before the clock struck 2 pm, thousands of people started heading for Kanga and for a change entering the sacred fort did not require permission from the uniformed personnel.

The atmosphere inside Kangla was one of camaraderie and it was a rare sight to see the people mingling freely with the security personnel.

For a welcome change, the uniformed men on guard were courtesy personified and kind and gentle words were used to explain against entering specific enclosed zones reserved for special invitees, cultural troupes etc.

As seats arranged at the vast meeting ground were already filled hours before the arrival of the Prime Minister, chaotic scenes prevailed sporadically with the public trying to occupy every convenient location including empty spaces between rows of seats which tested the patience of the State police personnel who significantly did not exhibit arms.

The only armed security personnel evident at the meeting venue were the paramilitary forces deployed around the meeting area.

The historic occasion itself began from the moment the entrance of the southern gate opened to the general public who walked in groups in celebratory mood, and looked up at the signboard displaying �The kangla� and proceeded further freely mingling with one another and exchanging views on developing the sacred site.

Inside the meeting venue surrounded by scenic plantation and British era structures and some crumbling buildings built by kings of the then independent Manipur, a sea of humanity in all colours awaited with bated breath the arrival of the Prime Minister�s cavalcade in the balmy wintry sun made even more milder with the light cloud cover of the sky.

While the Prime Minister�s speech, which touched on all issues confronting Manipur was greeted by loud cheers from the massive gathering, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was visibly moved by the momentous occasion.

His supposedly brief speech prolonged and darkness quickly descended requiring officials to remind him that the PM had other schedules today too.

After the handing over exercise, there were mixed reactions with some solely disappointed that the PM had not announced an economic package for the State.

As announced earlier, the PM kick started his visit by laying the foundation stone of the Jiri-Toupul rail head at Jiribam today amid the curfew imposed by the RPF to boycott the PM's visit.

A large number of people came out to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony.

The line will cross Tamenglong and East Imphal districts and culminate at Tupul which is about 25 km near Greater Imphal.

The station will be named Imphal Road station.

Speaking at the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the UPA Government is serious about looking into the connectivity of Manipur with the rest of the country and assured that his Govt will not hesitate in investing to create modern infrastructure to ensure this.

However for this to happen, peace is a requisite, said the Prime Minister and added that taking up guns to voice the grievances of the people is not right way to go about it.

The Jiri-Toupul railway line will go a long way in fulfilling the needs of the Manipuri people, especially in the movement of goods and people, said the Prime Minister.

Union Railways Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav who was also present at the function said that the Jiri-Toupul line is being taken up as part of the UPA's programme to connect all the State capitals of the NE with rail heads.

Rail link facilities will also be extended to the State capitals of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, he added.

After landing at Tulihal airport from Jiribam a little after 12 pm, the Prime Minister went to Manipur University to attend the 9th convocation ceremony of the varsity where 69 research students were conferred their PhD degrees, 5 MDs (Surgery and Medicine), 250 master and bachelor degrees.

Seventy five gold medals along with cash prizes were also distributed.

DONER Minister PR Kyndiah, MoS for Home PR Chavan and AICC leader Ramesh Channithala were also present at the function.

Chancellor of the university Governor SS Sidhu as well as the Chief Minister were also present.

Acknowledging the achievements of MU despite its many constraints, the Prime Minister announced the conversion of the varsity to a Central University.

The College of Technology will also become a constituent institution of the university and order to this effect will be issued by the Union Human Resources Department soon, he assured.

Acknowledging the number of students from Manipur who go outside the State to pursue their higher studies, the PM said, "For those who choose to New Delhi or some other important centres of education, we will try and see how we can provide some assured hostel facilities to students from the North Eastern State so that they may be able to find a home away from home".

After the function at MU, the PM proceeded upto the Capitol Project site at Chingmeirong and laid the foundation stone.

The estimated cost of the Capitol Project has been pegged at Rs 317.54 crores.

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