Imphal, January 24: With the Expert Committee, which was set up to study the ground for the preservation and development of the historical monuments of New Palace, from where the last King of Manipur, Maharaja Bodhachandra ruled, suggesting that the State Govt take over the historic place, the State Govt has now decided to take over the New Palace and give it the needed face lift.

The four member Committee was set up by the State Govt to suggests the steps to be taken to preserve the historical monuments and buildings of the Maharajas and the Durbar of New Palace.

The Committee is headed by Padmashree N Khelchandra as the chairman with Director of Art and Culture Dept Kh Sorojini as member secretary and Padmashree RK Jhalajit and Dr O Kumar as members.

Talking to The Sangai Express a well placed source said that the Expert Committee has listed eight sites for the Govt to preserve as historical monuments.

The eight sites listed by the Expert Committee include the Chonga Bon, Durbar Hall, Water Spring, Ras Mandal, Yumjao Lairemba, Nongshaba, Pakhangba and surroundings of the inner white brick wall.

The Committee has recommended to the Govt to take over the mentioned sites and preserve them as historical monuments.

Simultaneously the Director of Art and Culture Dept has also asked the Revenue Commissioner to take up the necessary process to declare the mentioned sites as Protected Areas.

The Committee has written to the Chief Minister to entrust the Art and Culture Department to take up the necessary work for preserving the monuments, added the source.

Explaining why the State Government is so keen to preserve the New Palace, the source said that this is the place where the last King of Manipur, Maharaja Bodhachandra ran the affairs of the State and the State Govt is committed to preserving this historical place for posterity.

The State Government has also decided to build a house for the titular King of Manipur, Leishemba Sanjaoba, who is currently living in the New Palace.

The house of the titular King will be located within the Palace compound, disclosed the source further.

The house will be built according to the wish of the titular King.

Setting the record straight, the source said that the main objective of the State Government in taking over the New Palace is to help preserve it for the coming generation to see from where the last King of Manipur managed the affairs of the then kingdom of Manipur.

There is no question of forcibly acquiring the New Palace, asserted the source.

However certain questions have been raised by the titular King over the wisdom of shifting him to a new house as that can lead to misgivings such as the titular King has been forced to live in a rented house, informed the source.

Comment