Protest against Palace takeover continues
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 10 2013: Protest against the Government's decision to takeover the Royal Palace continues inside the Palace premises.

A sit-in protest was staged today on the Palace premises wherein members of Sana Konung Semgat Sagat Lup and Konung Leikai Meira Paibi Lup took part.

Besides asserting that the Cabinet decision to takeover the historic Royal Palace is a violation of Article 2 of the Merger Agreement, the move is also seen by today's demonstrators as an attempt to sever the inextricable connection of the king and the Palace.

In 2006, the Government had made a futile attempt to takeover 7.179 acre of the historic Palace.

Again on June 22 this year, the State Cabinet has decided to takeover 12-13 acre of the Palace in principle, the protesters said.

The Cabinet decision resulted in a chain of protests since June 23 spearheaded by the Sana Konung Semgat Sagat Lup till date.

According to Araba, the secretary of Sana Konung Semgat Sagat Lup, a provision in the Merger Agreement signed between the Government of India and the then King of Manipur on October 15, 1949 stated that the Palace should be the private property of the king.

A provision of Article 2 of the agreement clearly stated that the Government should pay adequate attention to the well-being of the Palace.

He said the Government is making an attempt to do away the living institution of kingship by acquiring the Palace.

Initially, the Sana Konung Semgat Sagat Lup was formed by 37 different organisations.

Now the SKSSL has garnered the support and participation of 57 bodies including from the Tangkhuls, Muslims, Kukis and Hindus civil society organisations.

Executive member of SKSSL, Akoijam Memcha said the institution of kingship and the Palace is inseparable like the two sides of the same coin.

The Palace without the king is not only unimaginable but would look like an empty museum.

Not only the Palace is a symbol of unity for the different communities of the State, it has also been the foundation of hill-valley fraternal bond, she said.

Various traditional rites like Cheng-heiba, kwak tanba, Mera Houchongba, Emoinu Irat Thouni, etc are performed at the Palace.

Raising strong voice against the takeover move, she further asserted that the Palace and the king should not be separated at all.

She further suggested that the Government may set up historical monuments at Kangla Konung and Langthabal Konung.

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