Manipur MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh has called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the recent demolition of the historic Redlands Building, also known as the Manipuri Rajbari, in Shillong. The legislator said the act represents not just the destruction of a physical structure but a deep loss to India’s cultural and historical heritage.
In a letter addressed to the Governor of Manipur, Singh urged urgent action to identify those responsible for the demolition and to examine how such a significant landmark could be razed without wider consultation. Built in the early 1940s, the Redlands Building once served as the residence of Maharaja Bodhachandra of Manipur and was the site where the historic Manipur Merger Agreement was signed on September 21, 1949 — a moment that marked Manipur’s formal integration into the Indian Union.
Despite its immense historical and emotional significance, the heritage structure was reportedly demolished to make way for a new Manipur Bhavan. The decision has sparked widespread outrage among heritage activists, historians, and local residents, who have been calling for stronger heritage protection laws in the region.
