IMPHAL, Dec 24 ? The titular king of Manipur would be removed from his historical old palace and would be given accommodation in a new palatial multi-storey building as part of the ongoing Imphal city beautification drives, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh told the state Assembly on Thursday.
A committee constituted under his chairmanship has served a notice to the titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba whether he likes to take accommodation adjacent to the old palace or somewhere he likes for which the State Government is ready for reconstruction of the old palace, the Chief Minister said. The king was directed to comply within 15 days, Ibobi said in reply to a short duration discussion on the ongoing eviction drives raised by the Opposition MLA I Hemoc-handra.
The government will honour the king whatever he likes for which huge amount of money has been set aside, Ibobi who also holds the Planning portfolio, said. According to royal chronicles, princely Manipur state was under several kings since 33 AD till 1955 except a brief period of 1891 to 1947.
The eviction drives in and around the old palace having around 3.12 acres of land had already been started and the historical places including Samadhi of the Manipuri patriots including Bir Tikendrajit, Thangal General would also be beautified soon.
A multi-cultural complex would also be constructed near the palace gate for which the Union Cultural Ministry has directed the State Government to furnish a detailed project report of around Rs. 5 crore, Ibobi said.