Imphal, October 29: Following the standing assurance of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs that the Assam Rifles will be completely shifted from Kangla by December 31 this year and with the Prime Minister likely to announce the handing over of this historic place to the people during his proposed visit here, the Cabinet today decided to pass a legislation to protect the Kangla.

The meeting presided by Chief Minister O Ibobi and held at 11 am today also decided to form a committee comprising of eminent personalities from different field to protect the identity and preserve the sanctity of Kangla.

The 9 Sector Assam Rifles and 17 Bn Assam Rifles stationed at the 176 acre land of Kangla have started moving out from this historic site.

A senior Minister informed The Sangai Express that though it was earlier decided that an office of the IG Assam Rifles (South) will continue to function from within Kangla, it has now been decided that the office will not be located there.

Dropping a bomb shell, a well placed source said that numerous voluntary organizations have approached the Directorate of Land Records and Settlement to allot them patta land inside the Kangla once the AR moves out.

Other than discussing on Kangla, the Cabinet meeting also held in depth discussions on the maintenance and development of Khuman Lampak Sports complex.

Towards this end the Cabinet decided to constitute a 23 member committee christened the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex Development and Maintenance Committee with the Chief Secretary as the Chairman.

The Cabinet also decided to approach the Centre to sanction grants for the development and maintenance of Khuman Lampak Sports complex.

It was also decided to set up a corpus fund from the grants sanctioned by the Centre and donations from the public for the maintenance of the sports complex, said the source further.

Approximately about Rs 2.3 crore is needed annually for the maintenance of the sports complex.

A seven member sub-committee with the Commissioner of YAS as the Chairman will also be constituted for the maintenance of the sports complex.

Among other things, the Cabinet also decided to shift the Government College of Technology from Takyelpat to the campus of Manipur University.

The Cabinet also decided to make the College of Technology as part of the faculty of MU once the university is converted to a Central University.

Once this is realized, then the financial burden on the State Govt will lessen appreciably.

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