Royal Palace body rejects Cabinet proposal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 12, 2013: Inspite of the State Cabinet deciding last evening to convince the titular king on Royal Palace on the renovation plans with an assurance that there will be no hindrances to traditional practices, Sana Konung Semgat lup has voiced strong opposition against the latest proposal of the Government.

Speaking to mediapersons today on the sidelines of the ongoing protest demonstration to demand withdrawal of the Cabinet's earlier decision to take over the Royal Palace for renovation purposes, Lup secretary Pukhrihongbam Araba affirmed that there is no question of suspending the 20 days old sit-in-protest as no Government interference would be acceptable to the royal council.

Regretting failure of the Government to acknowledge general sentiment of the people against the Government's concept of renovation works, the secretary said ambiguity on the size of the proposed land possession move and not defining exact locations where construction activities would happen contradicts the claim that Government is committed to protecting the historic site.

The Cabinet meeting not mentioning about the 2005 notification that the Royal Palace would be developed as a historical monument is also worrisome, Araba expressed.

With regard to the Cabinet decision that residence of the titular king would be relocated also came in for sharp criticism from the secretary who termed it as ridiculous the Government concept that traditional practices and religious rituals are performed once in a while.

As per Meitei traditions many rituals are conducted everyday within the house (Royal Palace) and asking the titular king, family members and councils to visit the original site as and when required amounts to undermining religious sentiment of the people, he opined.

A Manipuri delegation from Bangladesh under the banner of Bangladesh Sahitya Parishad also joined the protest demonstration held today.

Parishad president AK Seram said decision of the State Government to carry out renovation works for transforming the Royal Palace into a historical monument deeply hurts sentiment of Bangladeshi Manipuris who had been looking upto the Royal Palace as a symbol of Manipur's great history and a reason to sustain traditional rituals and customary practices even in the adopted country.

He also opined that development works could be executed without infringing on the rights of the titular king or disturbing status quo of the Royal Palace.

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