Different voices against Palace take over
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, June 23 2013: Royal Councillor Advocate Puyam Tomcha has observed that most important part of customary rights is the execution of customary duties by the King from his Palace.

Hueiyen Lanpao conducted an opinion survey with regard to the Cabinet decision of taking over the Sana Konung (Royal Palace) for development into a historical monument.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Advocate Tomcha further said that as a constitutional agreement had been signed between the State government and Sana Konung Semgat-Sagatpa Lup in 2006, the decision of the State Cabinet could be considered as a proposal, which has to be worked out through mutual agreement after discussion.

He maintained that the most important customary right is the presence of the King in his Royal Palace.

The customary rights of the people as guaranteed by the government would be of no significance if the King is out of his Palace, Tomcha added.

Hueiyen Lanpao went on to meet five Queens who are still alive among seven Queens of the last King of independent Manipur Maharaja Bodhachandra to gather more information about Sana Konung.

It may be noted that the first two Queens had already expired.

five Queens who are still alive

The third Queen of Maharaja Bodhachandra is Rani Kamini alias Keishampat Rani (81) .

Her real name is Khumallambam Ningol Ibempishak of Keishampat Keisham Leikai and she resides at Palace Compound presently.

She told Hueiyen Lanpao that the King used to administer the whole State from the Royal Palace and she would prefer to retain the Palace.

The State government had even tried to acquire the Palace earlier.

The Cabinet decision to take over the Palace is not right.

The King's properties have been acknowledged as private properties as per the Merger Agreement signed in 1949, she asserted.

The seventh Queen Rani Khidir alias Thangmeiband Ibemma (76) whose real name is Hijam Ningol Ibempishak also stood by the decision to retain the Royal Palace with the King.

However, she expressed unhappiness over large number of people residing inside the Palace Compound.

Rani Khidir said that the government wants to uproot the Royal family completely.

The Privy Purse and other privileges enjoyed by the Royal family have been scrapped by the government.

She further contended that the government should better eliminate them rather than giving insults and harassment in such manner.

The sixth Queen Elangbi whose real name is Elangbam Ningol Ibemma (78) of Elangbam Leikai opined that the government can renovate the Old Palace, but its decision to shift out the King to some other Place is quite disheartening.

She said that the condition of the Royal Palace could not have been deteriorated so much if the State government had tried to ensure the Privy Purse to the Royal family.

The fifth Queen Kongba Rani whose name is Nongthombam Ningol Parvati (81) said that the Palace would no longer be a living institution if the King is shifted out from the Palace.

Kongba Rani had one son child, but expired.

She has been residing at her maternal home at Kongba since she was 23 years old.

The fourth Queen Nambol Rani, whose name is Khwairakpam Ningol Sovarani (81) of Nambol Moijing, only said that she appreciated the State government for its decision to develop the Royal Palace.

Nambol Rani has only one son, Maharajkumar Saratchandra alias Sanayaima.

Saratchandra is the lone surviving son of Maharaj Bodhachandra.

She resides at Kwakeithel.

The first Queen of Bodhachandra Nepali Rani died without bearing any child.

The second Queen Papal Sanggai, who is the mother of Leishemba Sanajaoba's father Okendra, died three years back.

It may be mentioned that Titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba has decided to stay in the age-old Royal Palace even if it crumbles him to death.