Manipur king, people sit in protest to save palace land

Imphal, June 25 : Present titular king of Manipur and other residents of the palace compound here have been on a sit-in protest against Manipur government's recent decision to acquire land in the palace compound to protect the palace complex, official sources said today.

Present king Leishemba Sanajaoba sat in the protest as he presently stays in the Manipur palace complex. Sources said that the government had decided to protect the palace complex as it was connected with the history of Manipur and a decision to this effect was taken during a cabinet meeting on Saturday.

Appealing to the residents around the palace complex, official sources said it was good for all the people of Manipur to protect the complex to introduce the future generation to the historical past of Manipur.

Official sources said king Sanajaoba's accomodation would be arranged by the state government when the renovation and reconstruction of the palace starts.

A spokesman who organised sit-in protest against the cabinet decision said many people constructed pucca buildings around the palace complex on the land sold to them by former king Okendra Singh.

Official sources said the cabinet's decision was a 'right one' to protect the historical past of Manipur and added that people should not object to it as it concerned the whole state of Manipur.

PTI