The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has submitted a detailed memorandum to the Government of Manipur, strongly condemning the dismantling of the historic Manipur Rajbari (Redlands Building) at Laitumkhrah, Shillong — the former royal residence of Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh and the site where the Merger Agreement of Manipur with the Indian Union was signed in 1949.

The memorandum, addressed to the Chief Secretary, the Commissioner of Art and Culture, the Secretary of the General Administration Department (GAD), the Chief Executive Officer of the Planning and Development Authority (PDA), and the Chairperson of the Monitoring and Supervision Committee for Reconstruction and Restoration of Historic Manipur Rajbari, expressed deep anguish over what it described as a grave failure to respect and preserve Manipur’s historical and cultural heritage.

COCOMI criticized the justification that the structure was “weak and termite-infested,” calling it an inadequate reason for the complete demolition of a monument so deeply tied to Manipur’s political and emotional identity. The organization asserted that the Rajbari was not merely an old building but a living monument representing Manipur’s sovereign past and its political transition after the merger with India.

The committee also noted that, despite repeated assurances from the government since 2022 that the Rajbari would be renovated while maintaining its original architectural integrity, the structure was dismantled without public consultation, expert opinion, or transparent disclosure of project details.

In its memorandum, COCOMI urged the government to take immediate steps, including constructing a full-scale replica of the original Rajbari within the same campus, preserving the demolished remains as a heritage testament, and initiating an independent inquiry into the circumstances leading to its dismantling. The committee also called for a temporary halt to ongoing works at the site until transparent consultations are held with civil society, historians, conservationists, and members of the royal family.

Further, COCOMI demanded the public release of all project-related documents, including the Detailed Project Report (DPR), approvals from the North Eastern Council (NEC), and structural safety reports. It emphasized that any reconstruction must faithfully adhere to the original architectural design in line with heritage conservation standards.

Reiterating that “heritage cannot be rebuilt with blueprints alone,” COCOMI stated that the demolition of the Rajbari is not merely an architectural issue but one of identity, dignity, and justice for the people of Manipur. The organization urged the government to take its demands with utmost seriousness to ensure that the legacy of the Manipur Rajbari is preserved with the respect and authenticity it deserves.