The British High Commission today expressed its gratitude to the Assam Government and the people of the state for making the visit of Duke and Duchess of Cambridge - Prince William and Kate Middleton - to the state a success.
"Their Royal Highnesses Prince William and Kate Middleton enjoyed the time they spent in Assam with its people," British Deputy High Commissioner Scott Furssedonn Wood said in a letter to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
The letter said that the visit of Prince William and Kate has strengthened the historic connection between the United Kingdom and Assam and that the royal couple had expressed desire to visit the state again.
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"Padmini Devi and Diya Kumari gave a representation to the Chief Minister on September 2, requesting re-opening of gates of Raj Mahal palace following which a committee of four members, headed by UDH Minister Rajpal Singh, was formed to look into the matter," a release from the Chief Minister's Office said.
The ownership of the land is controversial. It was sold by the erstwhile royal family and thereafter, acquired by the state government. Hence, they (members of the family) do not have the right to pass through the land, it said, adding that the matter was sub-judice.
In this backdrop, without acknowledging any right of the family on the property, without casting any negative impact on matters pending in the court and while reserving the right of the government and JDA, a "temporary" decision was taken to re-open the gate till alternate arrangements to enter the property were made, the release said.
