RTI report claims, dubious Anglo-Kuki War Centenary Gate is illegal

Imphal: An RTI reply in Manipur has said that the controversial Anglo-Kuki Centenary War Centenary Gate is an illegal construction.
The RTI reply came on January 30, to a query by Republican Party of India (RPI) leader Maheshwar Thounaojam, who sought information about the gate.
In response to the RTI, the Public Works Department has stated that no order or permission was given for the construction of the Anglo-Kuki Centenary Gate. This basically means that the public works department of Manipur government is declaring this gate as an illegal construction.

The RTI reply further stated that a letter was given to the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur on December 19, 2022, for removal of advertisement hoardings, signboards, banners, statues along the National Highways by the Public Works Department.

The Anglo-Kuki Centenary War Centenary Gate is located at National Highway No 2 in Manipur’s Churachandpur district.

The gate has been embroiled in controversy ever since the ethnic violence broke out on May 3 last year. During the initial phase of the violence, it has been claimed by certain factions that the gate had been burnt by armed miscreants. However those claims were found to be untrue.

The gate, located at Leisang village, had been built to mark commemorate the 1917-’19 Anglo-Kuki war. However, the veracity of the war itself has been questioned sometimes. Interestingly, reports had come out last year that the Union Home Ministry, in response to a RTI query, had stated that there is no record or details available regarding the Anglo-Kuki War in Manipur.