Protests intensify in Shillong and Manipur over the demolition of the historic Redlands Building, also known as Manipur Rajbari. Manipuri groups condemn the act as erasing Manipur’s living history and demand accountability from the Manipur government.
Widespread protests entered their seventh consecutive day in Meghalaya’s capital, Shillong, following the demolition of the historic Redlands Building, also known as Manipur Rajbari. The move has sparked deep resentment among Manipuri communities, historians, and cultural bodies, who termed the demolition an “unforgivable act of erasing Manipur’s living history.”
On Wednesday, members of the Manipuri Elders’ Consortium, Shillong (MECS) and the Shillong Manipuri Students’ Union (SMSU) gathered at the demolished site in Laitumkhrah to express their outrage. The demonstrators condemned the demolition and demanded strict punishment for those responsible for the destruction of the more than 95-year-old Redlands Bungalow, a site of immense historical and political significance.
Historic Significance of Redlands Building
The Redlands Building, constructed in the 1940s, was once one of the royal residences of Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh, the last king of Manipur. The bungalow holds deep symbolic importance, as it was here that the Merger Agreement of Manipur was signed in 1949, officially integrating the princely state into the Indian Union.
For decades, the structure stood as a proud reminder of Manipur’s transition from monarchy to democracy and its enduring political legacy. Its demolition, however, has now been described as an “irreparable loss to Manipur’s cultural and historical identity.”
Protesters Demand Accountability and Halt to Construction
The MECS and SMSU have demanded that all construction activities at the site be immediately stopped until a full investigation is completed. They rejected the government’s recently formed “monitoring and reconstruction committee,” arguing that it includes officials allegedly involved in ordering the demolition.
The protesters also insisted that local Manipuri representatives be included in any restoration or rebuilding process to ensure transparency and authenticity.
Controversy Over Responsibility
According to reports, the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) of Manipur carried out the demolition on October 8, citing approval from the Department of Art and Culture as part of a “development plan.” However, public outrage grew when the demolition was conducted despite repeated appeals from various Manipuri organisations and heritage advocates urging the government to preserve and restore the structure instead.
The Manipur government’s attempt to shift blame onto the Department of Art and Culture has only fueled anger among protesters. The MECS and SMSU accused the state government of deliberately silencing concerns, saying the act appears “premeditated and politically motivated.”
Political and Public Reactions
The controversy has now taken a political turn. Several major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress, along with multiple civil society organisations (CSOs) and student unions, have joined the growing call for an independent probe.
The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the apex body of the Meitei community, has also condemned the demolition, describing it as “a direct assault on Manipur’s heritage and collective memory.”
Historians, scholars, and citizens from both Manipur and Meghalaya have denounced the destruction, warning that such actions could permanently erase a vital part of Northeast India’s shared cultural heritage.
Meghalaya CM Denies Involvement
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has distanced his government from the controversy. During his recent visit to Imphal to assess the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur, Sangma categorically denied any role in the demolition, stating that the Meghalaya government had not granted permission for any such activity.
His statement, however, has done little to quell public outrage. Manipuri groups continue to demand an independent, high-level inquiry into the incident, insisting that accountability must be fixed and those responsible must face strict legal action.
Cultural Heritage Lost
Experts describe the demolition of Redlands Building as not just the loss of a structure, but the erasure of Manipur’s political and cultural continuity. For many, the site represented a tangible link between past and present—a space where Manipur’s sovereignty, identity, and democratic journey converged.
| Also Read: Manipur Leaders condemn demolition of Shillong’s iconic Rajbari |
As protests intensify across Shillong, Imphal, and beyond, the demand for justice, preservation, and respect for history continues to echo louder. Unless decisive action is taken, the demolition of Manipur Rajbari may remain a lasting scar on India’s cultural conscience.
