Road constructed on historical site
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 12 2014 :
Langthabal hill which was once the capital of Manipur kingdom and is protected as a historical site was dug and cut to construct a new road during President Pranab Mukherjee's visit to Manipur University.
The northern hill slope adjoining the bank of Chandranadi canal was cut to construct a new road of about 400 metres above the road leading to the Centenary Hall.
The road which is about 10 feet in breadth has been laid with stones and levelled properly even though it has not been black-topped.
Pointing out that Langthabal hill is closely associated with the history of Manipur, Archeology Superintendent wrote a letter to the MU Registrar on April 26 to stop cutting the hill side.
The monuments seen atop the hill, part of which is currently occupied by a company of 40 Assam Rifles, were constructed during the reign of Maharaj Churachand.
The monuments and an area of 22.86 acres where they stand were declared as a historical site on September 9, 1981 under the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1976 .
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Section 19 of the Act prohibits any kind of perturbation upon such historical sites and it was mentioned in the Superintendent's letter to the MU Registrar.
It further conveyed apprehension about the possibility of the historical monuments breaking down due to soil erosion after some years on account of cutting the hill slope.
Any person who defies the prohibitions of the Manipur Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archeological Sites and Remains Act 1976 may be fined or imprisoned, said an Archeology official.
Saying that he received the letter sent by the Archeology Superintendent, MU Registrar N Lokendro maintained that he forwarded the same letter to the Vice Chancellor.
Even though the VC made a proposal to discuss the letter, he left his station.
The Registrar claimed that he had no idea why the new road was constructed.
Notably, it was after the Seven Years Devastation, capital of Manipur kingdom was shifted to Langthabal during the reign of Maharaj Gambhir Singh.