Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 21:
Just one day after Assam Rifles formally handed over Kangla to the State Government, this historic fort has begun to receive visitors with as many 200 people visiting the place to offer prayers as well as to have a look today.
The sign board of the Assam Rifles put up at the Western Gate was pulled down today at about 2 pm and in its place another sign board with the word, "The Kangla" has been put up.
From 6.30 pm yesterday the task of manning the post of Kangla was taken over by personnel of the 1st IRB.
However not all the assets of the Assam Rifles have been taken away and the process of transferring the same will go on till November 25.State DGP AK Parashar personally visited Kangla today at 9 am and over saw the security measures taken up by the 1st IRB there.
Sources said that the State Government has also decided to detail 200 IRB personnel for security duty at Kangla.
Art and Culture Minister Ph Parijat accompanied by the Department's Commissioner Dr Rajesh Kumar, Director Kh Sorojini and Superintendent of State Archaeology S Bheigya visited Kangla and inspected the important sites within the historic fort.
After offering his prayers at the Nungjeng Pukhri of Pakhangba, the Minister inspected the temple of Pakhangba and the mandap as well as the foot path.
The Government will take up steps to renovate the historic structures.
Speaking to The Sangai Express the Minister said that structures other than the ones built by the kings of Manipur and the British will be dismantled.
The Minister also inspected the palace, Govindajee temple and other historical structures.
After the 1891 Anglo-Manipuri War, all structures, excepting places of worship and the library, were destroyed with dynamites.
About 200 people turned up to offer prayers and to take a look at the place today morning.
More people turned up in the evening too, but they were turned back under instructions from the Minister.
Parijat informed The Sangai Express that restrictions on entry of visitors will be enforced for the next few days.
Visitors may freely visit Kangla after the Chief Minister returns from Guwahati and constitute the Board to look after Kangla, he added.
Meanwhile IRB personnel rounded up 9 drug addicts who were taking heroin at the northern side of Kangla near Imphal river.