Gambhir Singh Memorial Complex in awful condition
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Nomita Khongbantabam

Imphal, September 22 2015: The historical monument of Meidingu Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba (King Gambhir Singh) located at Langthabal Palace, Canchipur in Imphal West is in a terrible condition due to Manipur Government's apathy.

The memorial complex has been water logged and difficult to access though the Government has announced January 9 of every year as state holiday to honour the good deeds executed by Gambhir Singh.

The site, which has an important place in the history of Manipur, was declared by the Manipur State Archaeological Department as an important historical site/monument of the State in 1981 .

However, the developmental projects on the complex started only from 2012 and Manipur Government acquired a vast land area from many people inhabiting the area to expand and preserve the historical monument.

Gambhir Singh Memorial Complex in awful condition

The surrounding of the site, where a magnificent statue of Gambhir Singh is erected, is defended by a wall and Chief Minister O Ibobi himself on January 9 last planted saplings to beautify the place.

Large amount of money had been sanctioned and a number of saplings had been planted to protect the historical monument of Meidingu Chinglen Nongdrenkhomba.

Half of the monument is sinking under water and the trees which were planted there grow along with the wild grass turning it into a bush.

The historical monument could fall apart anytime as it has remained water logged since a long time and one cannot imagine that what will be the future of the monument if it continues to sink under water.

But State Government and the authorities concerned have maintained silence over it.

One Laishram Tompok who fondly takes care of the site told Hueiyen Lanpao that the historical monument of King Gambhir Singh should be inspected at least once in a week by employing some people under Art and Culture Department.

What is the value of sanctioning crores of rupees for developmental projects if the monument continues to sink under water, asked Tompok.

The awful condition of the historical monument cannot be made better by observing Gambhir Singh Day on January 9 every year or by just planting some saplings.

Manipur Government should take care of the historical monument of king Gambhir Singh who took major role in reclaiming Manipur's independence from the Burmese.

Interestingly, officials of the Art and Culture Department and Manipur State Archives have kept mum on the issue when comments were sought from them on the present condition of the demarcated area.

The Treaty of Yandaboo signed in 1826 shows Gambhir Singh as an exceptional king in the history of Manipur.

He was born on March 5, 1788 at Langthabal Palace and died on February 24, 1826 .