Imphal, November 22: Prominent literary figures, artistes of fine arts and performing arts of manipur in hundreds today staged demonstrations against the State Government�s recent decision to shift the manipur State Kala Akademi complex from its present location in Khuman Lampak Sports Complex.

The protest session actually started at near Keishampat Power house but was shifted to Th Iboyaima Shumang Leela Shanglen at Palace Compound after police personnel dismantled protective covers erected at the first venue after about half an hour.

the demonstration was held under the banner of �Action Committee Against the Manipur Govt.Decision on the Shifting of Manipur State Kala Akademi Complex�.

Even as the protest resumed at the Palace Compound venue, a delegation led by the Committee�s chairman Prof Ch Manihar submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister with a copy each addressed to the Prime Minister as well as the Governor of Manipur.

Dubbing the Govt�s move as a total disregard of a culturally rich State like Manipur, the Committee chairman and its convenor Wareppa Naba told reporters at manipur Press Club later in the afternoon that rather than promoting the art and culture of the State, the SPF Govt decision would only cause derailment of the Akademi�s functions.

Moreover, the Govt�s move is ill-timed as process had already been set into motion for receiving financial assistance to develop the Akademi�s infrastructure, they lamented.

The Govt insistence that the Akademi complex shift to a nondescript location is most certain to discourage funding agencies from releasing necessary assistance, said the Committee duo and asserted that the Committee would relentlessly agitate till the matter is addressed in a positive manner by the Govt.The establishment of the Akademi in 1972 was the fruition of many years� efforts of the people, particularly the writer and art lovers of Manipur, highlighted the memorandum.

It also pointed out that people in the literary and arts circle have been observing with great dismay the gradual and systematic policy of the Govt to whittle down the scope and activities of the Akademi by withdrawing State grants meant for financial help to cultural and literary institutions, scholarships to artistes and writers and also for assistance of book publication.

Under such a pitiful circumstance the recent decision of the Government cannot but be regarded as the last stroke for complete destruction of the Akademi, the Committee�s memorandum construed.

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