Imphal, April 26: The inaugural stone of the Khongjom War Monument cum Tourist Center unveiled by the President of India, Pranab Mukherjee on April 23 could not be found at the site and the memorial stone of Khongjom War martyrs inaugurated by the then President VV Giri is also missing from the complex. On the other hand Hindu deity Mahadeva was found in the middle of three pillars erected in memories of the martyrs.
A team of volunteers led by the President of Khongjom War Memorial Trust, Moirangthem Hemanta who went for an inspection visit at the complex expressed shocked to see the condition of the memorial site of the Manipuri Martyrs which was inaugurated by the President of India only 3 days back.
“We could not found the whereabouts of the inaugural stone of the Khongjom War Memorial inaugurated by President of India on April 23 , neither the memorial stone inaugurated by the then President VV Giri is not traceable anywhere in the complex”, said M Hemanta who is also a spokesperson of the BJP Manipur Pradesh.
“We will lodge complaint to the nearest police station regarding the matter besides putting it up to the notice of the central government leadership”, Hemanta said.
The BJP spokesperson further questioned the government authority on the logic behind erecting of a Hindu Deity Mahadev in the three memorial pillars erected in memories of the Khongjom War heroes.
The memorial stones of the Khongjom War Martyrs which is missing from the complex was inaugurated by the then President of India VV Giri, on October 21, 1972. The inaugural stone of the Khongjom War Monuments and Tourism Complex was unveiled and inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee only 3 days back.
“Untraceable of two historic memorial stones that too inaugurated by two Presidents of India as a mark of respect and honour to the Martyrs who had sacrificed safeguarding the Independence of Manipur is a direct looting by the present government, this is a serious matter and will be conveyed to the President’s office”, Hemanta said.
Hemanta further slammed the government for not making convenient to the people of the state who had come to pay tribute to the Manipuri Martyrs.
On the other hand, the President of the Khongjom War Memorial Trust also stated that the construction of the complex with an estimated amount of Rs. 28.93 crore was not properly utilized by awarding the work through proper channel.
“The Government had chosen contractor from their pocket and awarded the work without conducting proper tender process”, Hemanta lamented.
Construction of the war monuments and tourism complex began from 2013 but till this stage it cannot be guaranteed on when will it be completed.
“The Memorial complex is going to be one of the most unfortunate projects for the state. He further said that already Rs. 4 crores had been sanctioned for construction of Public Hall at the memorial complex besides another Rs 3 crores for construction of Tourist lodge. But as of now no such structure is seen inside the complex.