Imphal, Oct 14 (NationPress) A significant number of students from a private university in Imphal made their way to the Planning and Development Authority (PDA) office on Tuesday to voice their discontent regarding the recent demolition of the historic Redlands Buildings, also known as Manipur Rajbari, in Shillong.

In response, numerous police officers, including senior officials, swiftly arrived at the Chingmeirong area, where the PDA office is located, to address the crowd of protesting students. Law enforcement attempted to obstruct the students from entering the PDA office.

Despite the police's efforts, the students managed to break through the barricades and gathered at the office, chanting slogans. They subsequently locked the PDA office gates while shouting phrases such as “Long Live Manipur” and “Down Down PDA” to convey their frustration and demand accountability for the demolition of these iconic structures.

The demolition of the Redlands Buildings in Meghalaya's capital, Shillong, last week has ignited widespread anger among citizens, political parties—including the BJP and Congress—and various Civil Society Organizations within the state.

On Tuesday, the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), representing the Meitei community in Manipur, called for an investigation into the demolition of the Rajbari.

During a press interaction, COCOMI Convenor Khuraijam Athouba condemned the destruction of the Manipur Rajbari as a severe act of negligence and a betrayal of public trust.

The historic Redlands Building, built in the 1940s in Shillong, served as one of the residences for the former king, Maharaja Bodhachandra Singh. The building was demolished last week, allegedly to make way for a new Manipur Bhavan or a guest house for the Manipur government.

The destruction of the Redlands Buildings has led to widespread condemnation from various organizations, including the Meitei Heritage Society, historians, scholars, citizens, experts, nearly all political entities, Civil Society Organizations, and student groups, all of whom view the demolition as an irreparable blow to Manipur’s political and cultural heritage.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya Chief Minister Sangma, who also heads the National People's Party (NPP), visited Imphal last week to evaluate the ongoing ethnic crisis in Manipur. He firmly stated to the media that the Meghalaya government had no involvement in the demolition, asserting that no permission was granted for such actions.