UCM stresses better operation of Shillong Rajbari
Source: Chronicle News Service / Sagolsem Bigyan

Imphal, March 14 2022: The joint team of United Committee Manipur (UCM) and media persons who are undertaking a journey to trace the Manipuris scattered outside the state as part of UCM's "Eegi Khonggul Liba" (Tracing the Blood) were forced to spend the night outside after arriving at Manipur Rajbari, Shillong as they could not find a resting place at the erstwhile estate of the royals of Manipur.

A team of UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam, general secretary Ngangom Deba, 1PR secretary Leisemba Lamaba, secretary (Youth Affairs) M Sanatombi and media persons embarked on a journey from March 12 to trace the roots of Manipuri people living scattered outside the state.

As part of this journey, the Committee had paid a visit to the final resting place of freedom fighter Major Chongthamia at Agartala, Tripura on Sunday.

The team then arrived at Manipur Rajbari in Shillong on Monday but was unable to stay inside the building itself, thereby forcing the team to spend the night at the compound of the estate.

In this regard, Manipur Government GAD assistant liaison officer RS Yireichan, who is tasked with guarding the estate, expressed his regret over the inability to house the UCM and media team inside the building.

He then urged the government of Manipur to construct a guest house at the Rajbari to house Manipur denizens who visit the capital city of Meghalaya for health care, studies and other purposes.

Highlighting the historical significance of the Rajbari at Shillong for Manipur; Yireichan stressed the need for regular renovation work of the former residence of then king Bodhchandra.

The government should do all possible in this regard, he said, while conveying that no renovation or repair work has been done in the last 15 years he has been posted there.

UCM president Joychandra also conveyed that as the team did not have a proper place inside the building and as such, borrowed materials from a local tent house and food items and spent the night at the compound.

Stating that the estate is a legacy left behind by Maharaj Bodhchandra for Manipur, the UCM president mentioned the matter of the land being given out on lease, which is not supposed to be in the first place as the land belongs to Manipuris.

The land plot of the Rajbari was quite big originally, but now it has shrunk drastically.

Even the residence of the queen no longer exists, he conveyed.

Joychandra then contended that it is responsibility of each one of us to preserve the land left behind by our forefathers.

By failing to do so, we are being unfilial to our ancestors.

The present state of Rajbari is saddening, he said and urged the government to resolve all issues concerning the land and construct a guest house in the area.

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