King to occupy Kangla if Govt takes over Sana Konung: Royal Council
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 02 2013: Legal Advisor of Royal Council Puyam Tomcha has categorically stated that the King would shift to the Old Palace at Kangla if the State Government remains firm on taking over the Sana Konung.

Addressing media persons at the Sana Konung here today, Tomcha said that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi must contemplate over his reply given to Opposition Leader Dr I Ibohalbi in the Assembly regarding a query about acquisition of Sana Konung.

"Ibobi had stated in the Assembly that the State Government is striving to give an elegant look to the Palace to show the State's past era of being an independent Kingdom to foreign visitors", he noted.

Tomcha further said that the State Government is already controlling the Kangla Fort as per Chief Minister Ibobi's whim.

'King to occupy Kangla if Govt takes over Sana Konung'

He questioned the Government how much beautification and development is still required for Sana Konung in order to show the past history of independent Manipur.

The Legal Advisor also slammed Chief Minister Ibobi for his repeated reference to the Royal Palace of Tripura which was well developed by the Government.

Tomcha pointed out that the Tripuris of Tripura are no longer in a state to oppose the Government's decision as they have become minority in their own land.

He further lamented whether Chief Minister Ibobi wants to give the same fate of Tripuris to the Manipuris by overthrowing the King.

Questioning the Government about its assurance of keeping customary rights of the King intact, Tomcha said that the King should be the Chairman of Govindajee Temple Board, but neither is he the Chairman nor gets the customary "Sana Luk" from the Temple.

Tomcha decried the deprivation of King's customary rights in certain religious ceremonies of Kang Chingba (Rath Yatra) and Kwak Taanba.

Chief Minister's suggestion for consulting an architect in the development works of Sana Konung is also against the guidelines of Historical Monument Act, the Legal Advisor asserted.

Vice-President of Sana Konung Semgat-Sagat Lup Joy Chingakham stated that the Lup had not settled anything on Sana Konung with the Government and it would welcome proposal for holding talks.