The controversy over the demolition of the historic Redlands Bungalow in Shillong has intensified, with the Planning and Development Authority’s (PDA) clarification failing to pacify widespread outrage. Two days after a PDA official attempted to shift blame to the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Manipur, Manipuri communities in Shillong staged a strong protest at the demolition site this morning.
Members of the Manipuri Elders’ Consortium, Shillong (MECS) and the Shillong Manipuri Students’ Union (SMSU) gathered at the Redlands premises in Laitumkhrah, condemning what they termed an “unforgivable act of erasing Manipur’s living history.” The protesters demanded stringent action against officials involved in the demolition of the over 95-year-old bungalow, where the historic Merger Agreement of Manipur was signed in 1949.
The groups also urged the immediate suspension of all ongoing construction activities at the site until accountability is fixed. They rejected the government’s committee formed to “monitor and supervise the reconstruction” of the demolished bungalow, calling it unacceptable since it includes officials responsible for the act.
Instead, MECS and SMSU have called for the formation of a new, independent committee comprising heritage restoration experts, architects, and local stakeholders familiar with conservation practices and Shillong’s climatic conditions. They also demanded the inclusion of local Manipuri representatives in the restoration process to ensure transparency and authenticity.
The century-old Redlands Bungalow was demolished on October 8, 2025, under the directives of the PDA, Manipur, with approval from the Department of Art and Culture as part of a “development plan.” Despite repeated appeals from various organizations to preserve and restore the structure, the demolition was executed abruptly.
Describing the move as a grave insult to Manipur’s cultural and political heritage, the Shillong-based Manipuri organizations said the silence of the Manipur Government has deepened public suspicion that the demolition was deliberate. With anger continuing to mount among Manipuris in both Shillong and Manipur, calls for a high-level independent inquiry are gaining momentum.
