The National People’s Party (NPP), Manipur State Unit has constituted a five-member Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the demolition of the historic Manipur Rajbari Building at Redlands, Shillong, a site deeply linked to the State’s political history and identity.
The Committee, chaired by Shri Kh. Loken Singh, Hon’ble MLA, has been tasked with conducting an on-site investigation, gathering facts, and submitting a comprehensive report with recommendations to the competent authority within fifteen days.
The other members of the Committee include Shri R.K. Rameshwar Singh, General Secretary (Organisation); Shri Russell Heisnam, General Secretary (Administration); Smt. Ratika Yumnam, General Secretary (CSOs Outreach, Research & Advocacy); and Shri U. Ramesh Singh, Executive Member of the NPP.
Committee’s Mandate and Objectives
According to an official statement issued by the NPP Manipur, the Fact-Finding Committee has already visited the Rajbari site in Shillong to collect information from local authorities, eyewitnesses, and residents. The team is expected to review official communications, land records, and any prior approvals or notifications related to the demolition.
The Committee’s findings will be compiled into a detailed report to be submitted to the State leadership and the competent authority for appropriate follow-up action.
“The NPP stands committed to ensuring transparency, justice, and the protection of Manipur’s historical legacy,” the statement read. “The party believes that such heritage structures are not merely physical assets but symbols of the State’s political and cultural identity.”
Background: Redlands Rajbari and Its Historical Significance
The Redlands Rajbari Building in Shillong occupies a place of immense historical importance. It was at this site that Maharajah Bodhachandra Singh of Manipur signed the Merger Agreement with the Union of India on September 21, 1949 — a defining moment in the State’s modern political history.
Over the years, historians and cultural organizations have repeatedly called for its preservation as a heritage site. However, reports of its demolition earlier this year triggered widespread outrage across Manipur, with political leaders, scholars, and student groups demanding accountability and immediate action.
Former ministers, academics, and members of civil society have described the demolition as a “grave loss to Manipur’s heritage”, calling it an act of negligence that disregards the building’s symbolic and emotional significance.
NPP’s Commitment to Heritage Protection
The NPP Manipur leadership stated that the formation of the Fact-Finding Committee was part of a larger effort to ensure accountability and transparency in how heritage properties connected to the State are treated, particularly those located outside Manipur.
Party officials emphasized that the final report will include recommendations to prevent such incidents in the future, and will be forwarded to the Government of Manipur, the Government of Meghalaya, and relevant heritage preservation authorities.
“We owe it to future generations to protect and preserve our shared history,” an NPP spokesperson said. “This is not about politics — it’s about identity, respect, and responsibility.”
The NPP reiterated its stance that heritage protection must be a collective priority, cutting across party lines and administrative jurisdictions.