21 November 2004	Sunday	08 Shawwal 1425

GUWAHATI, Nov 20: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday returned a historic fort in the troubled northeastern state of Manipur to its people, ending more than a century of army control.

The ceremony was witnessed by hundreds of people who waved the national flag to express their joy.

The massive and picturesque Kangla Fort was the palace of Manipur's royalty since 33 AD until in 1891 British forces defeated the local king and converted it into a garrison.

After independence, Indian soldiers moved into the fort and remained there much to the dislike of local people who had to seek permission from the army to hold prayers in the 108 sacred worship places inside the complex.

"This is indeed a historic day for all of us as from today, the Kangla Fort will come under direct control of the people and government of Manipur," Mr Singh said while addressing a rally in state capital Imphal.

"The fort is a symbol of Manipur's spiritual and religious traditions and is a revered pilgrimage site," he added.

The fort keys were handed over to state Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh by Lt Gen Bhupinder Singh, chief of the Assam Rifles, a paramilitary force headquartered in the building.-AFP