Maharaja of Manipur Leisemba Sanajaoba administers oath to members of Desam, a students? organisation, at the Royal Palace in Imphal recently. (PTI)

Imphal, Feb. 27: Bowing to pressure, chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh put off the process of acquiring Manipur Palace land for the preservation of the historical place, but told the Assembly today that his government was committed to protecting the symbol of the state?s ?glorious past?.

Last night, the chief minister reached an agreement with NGOs which are opposing his move to acquire the palace land, saying that the government would not do so without the consent of Sana Konung Semgat Lup, a federation of several organisations.

?In all the states, the respective governments are protecting historical buildings, including ancient palaces. In fact, we should have taken over the palace for its protection long ago. The government?s step is aimed at preserving the palace for posterity,? Ibobi Singh told the Assembly.

The government had plans to acquire the over 100-year-old palace, locally known as Chongabon, the durbar hall and the adjoining ground after shifting the titular King Leisemba Sanajaoba and his family elsewhere.

The NGOs, opposing the move, argued that once the king is shifted and the palace comes under the control of the government, the symbol of Manipur?s erstwhile sovereignty would be obliterated.

Ibobi Singh agreed to defer the acquisition plan after the federation threatened to call a 48-hour strike in Manipur from midnight tonight to protest against the government?s decision.

The chief minister told the Assembly that the matter would now be decided after consulting experts, NGOs and intellectuals.

The issue was raised by leader of the Opposition in the House and former chief minister R.K. Dorendro Singh and another Opposition member L. Ibomcha Singh. Both members welcomed the government?s decision to protect the palace and the durbar hall, but said while doing so, the king?s annual rituals, rites, customary practices and religious activities should not be disturbed.

Justifying the government?s initiative, Ibobi Singh said the present condition of the palace and its surrounding areas was pathetic. Private structures have mushroomed inside the palace compound, defiling the sanctity of the palace.

?Visitors, both domestic and foreign, want to have a glimpse of Manipur?s palace. But the palace can hardly be a tourist attraction in its present condition. Therefore, the government has decided to protect and preserve the palace,? the chief minister said.

He also allayed fears that the king?s customary practices would be banned once the government takes over the palace. The chief minister said the government initiated the process of acquiring the land because it would not receive any budgetary allocation for the conservation of the palace without land rights.