Shillong, October 15: Members of the Manipuri Elders’ Consortium, Shillong (MECS) and the Shillong Manipuri Students Union (SMSU) staged a protest on Wednesday against the demolition of the historic Manipur Rajbari, also known as the Redlands Bungalow.
The nearly century-old bungalow, located in Laitumkhrah, Shillong, was demolished on 8 October under directives from the Planning and Development Authority, Government of Manipur, reportedly as part of a renovation plan proposed by the Department of Art and Culture.
Condemning the demolition, MECS PRO K. Chirom said the action was carried out hastily despite repeated appeals over the past month to explore alternatives that could have preserved the original structure. Protesters demanded that officials responsible for the demolition be punished and called for an immediate halt to ongoing and future construction until a thorough investigation is completed.
The groups also objected to the government-formed committee tasked with overseeing reconstruction, insisting that individuals involved in the demolition should not be part of the restoration. They urged the formation of an independent committee of qualified restoration experts, architects familiar with Anglo-Assamese design, and professionals knowledgeable about local climatic and cultural conditions. MECS and SMSU also sought a participatory role as local stakeholders to ensure the restoration respects the historical and cultural integrity of the original building.
