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Imphal, Oct 22 (IANS) The high-powered committee constituted to take appropriate steps following the demolition of the historic Redlands buildings in Meghalaya capital Shillong on Wednesday suggested restoring the structure to its former glory through anastylosis, in line with the norms, ethics and guidelines of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and UNESCO.
The historic Redlands Building, also known as Manipur Rajbari, in Meghalaya’s capital Shillong was destroyed from September 29 to October 8 at the behest of a Manipur government department, reportedly to make way for the new Manipur Bhawan or Manipur Government Guest House.
A senior official said the Manipur government had earlier constituted a monitoring and supervision committee for the reconstruction and restoration of the historic Redlands buildings.
A consultative meeting chaired by Nanggom Uttam Singh, Director, Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) and Information and Public Relations, was held on Wednesday and the recent developments related to the dismantling of the majestic Manipur Rajbari in Shillong and the way forward with respect to the historic building were discussed.
The meeting suggested involving eminent professional conservation and conservation experts to prepare the overall development plan and guide the State Government in the execution of the work.
The meeting also suggested involving local experts in the area to interact with and monitor conservation experts to ensure the preservation of historical features, original architectural designs and cultural significance.
Various organizations in Manipur and Meghalaya said that officials of the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) of the Manipur government attempted to put the responsibility for the demolition of the historic Redlands buildings in Shillong on the Department of Art and Culture.
Several political parties including BJP and Congress, senior political leaders, MPs, dozens of civil society organizations (CSOs), student bodies, Coordination Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the apex body of the Meitei community in Manipur, are strongly protesting against the demolition of the historic building and demanding an inquiry into the Rajbari demolition.
The historic Redlands Building in Shillong, built in the 1940s, was one of the residences of the then King Maharaja Bodhchandra Singh. The demolition of the Redlands Building in Shillong has been widely condemned by various organisations, including the Meitei Heritage Society, historians, scholars, citizens and experts, who call the demolition an irreparable loss to the political and cultural heritage of Manipur.
–IANS
SC/And