Is Manipur Bhavan Delhi for VIPs?

Imphal: Three journalists from Manipur who already got permission to stay at Manipur Bhavan- 2, Sardar Patel Marg, Chanakya Puri, Delhi have been canceled their stay by its authority as chief minister N. Biren Singh has occupied some rooms for his visit on Monday.

The journalists travelled to Delhi to face interview for Indian Information Service on March 15.

They submitted an application seeking to stay at Manipur Bhavan on March 2 to the authority concerned. The authority concerned sent a confirmation letter on Monday while they were heading for Delhi.

When the scribes reached Manipur Bhavan and asked the officials of the Bhavan, they were told that the chief minister and some officials have occupied some rooms, so no rooms cannot be provided to any individuals.

One of the scribe enquired the front desk of the Bhavan and show the confirmation letter sent from deputy secretary, General Administration Department, Asem Rangina Chanu mentioning to allow then to stay at Manipur Bhavan for 4 days from March 13-16.

A lady receptionist told “there is no vacant room in the Bhavan, nothing can be done with the official letter, now even not a single room cannot be provided even if it is instructed by chief minister himself”.

Sources reported that all the individuals who were staying at the Bhavan were told to shift to another place or hotel. The individuals were reportedly shifted to some hotels.

The scribes make a verbal complaint regarding the incident to president All Manipur Working Journalist Union (AMWJU). But after some time he call back and told that he cannot reach the chief minister.

By coincidence, Biren Singh was also in the same flight (Imphal-Delhi) along with the scribes.

Manipur government has been taking various initiatives for the development of Manipur Bhavans located at various places of the country. The government had expressed earlier that the condition and infrastructure of Manipur Bhavans has been improving and the state government is also spending funds from the state budget. However, people are still suffering and been facing issues while seeking to stay at Manipur Bhavans.