Apathy writ large on Shillong Manipur Bhavan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 31 2012: After Shillong Manipur Bhavan and its plot were bought back from an individual a few years back, the condition of the Bhavan has deteriorated to a pitiable state despite being a heritage of Manipur.

Significantly, the present Shillong Manipur Bhavan was used by Maharaj Bodhachandra during his foreign tours or holiday trips but the royal bed is now being used by the care-taker's family.

Manipuris residing at Shillong are deeply worried over the sorry state of the Bhavan and it is their wish to repair and restore the past glory of the Bhavan.

The Bhavan, if repaired, can be used in hosting different events and also accommodate Manipuri people coming to Shillong for medical treatment or study.

The Bhavan which has five rooms with a plot of around two acres was sold off to a private individual but they were again bought back by the Government of Manipur about six/seven years back in view of its historical significance.

The Shillong Manipur Bhavan

Apart from the Bhavan, there are five houses inside its compound including three houses on rent, one occupied by the care-taker and another occupied by the Shillong Manipuri Students' Union.

Though private parties have been occupying three houses, they have not be paying their rents which otherwise should be accrued to the State exchequer.

However, there has been intimation from the Government of Manipur till to take up any regarding non-payment of rents, said care-taker RS Yeireichang.

The Bhavan has deteriorated to such extent that it is not fit to accommodate any group of people coming from Manipur.

The roof is leaking in all the five rooms.

The State Government has been requested to repair the Bhavan but to no avail, Yeireichang said.

On the other hand, the Shillong Meitei Tengbang Lup who have been working for welfare of Manipuris residing at Shillong besides providing assistance to Manipuris coming to the town said that they were disappointed on seeing the condition of Manipur Bhavan as compared to Bhavans of other States located at Shillong.

The Shillong Manipur Bhavan looked like an abandoned and haunted building of some historical period and its compound, fully overgrown by grass and bush appeared like a jungle.

Taking strong exception to the utter negligence of such a heritage site, the lup appealed to the State Government to clear the thickets of bush and grass and build a community hall.This would facilitate holding functions and events of Manipuri people including those residing at Shillong and those coming from Manipur, they said.