Former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has strongly condemned the complete destruction of the historic Manipur Rajbari (Redlands Building) in Shillong, describing the incident as “very unfortunate” and “truly painful.”
Speaking to the media at Imphal Airport, Biren Singh expressed deep sorrow over the demolition, emphasizing that the Rajbari represented Manipur’s shared history and identity. He recalled that when he first assumed office as Chief Minister in 2017, the State did not yet have ownership of the Redlands Rajbari, and efforts were initiated to preserve the heritage site.
The Rajbari, also called the Redlands Building, was the royal residence of Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh, the last ruler of Manipur, located in Shillong’s Laitumkhrah area. It holds historical importance as the venue where the Manipur Merger Agreement with the Union of India was signed in September 1949.
Biren Singh urged the authorities to investigate the demolition thoroughly, highlighting that the act has deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Manipur worldwide. He called for a transparent inquiry to determine the circumstances behind the destruction and stressed the need to safeguard the state’s cultural and historical heritage.
