Fearing that the place was haunted, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has converted the bungalow of former state Chief Minister Kalikho Pul’s bungalow into a guest house. The bungalow will also be used as a training center for civil servants. The guest house was inaugurated by Minister of State for Urban Development Nabam Rebia and Chief Secretary Shakuntala D Gamlin on April 7.
The inaugural ceremony included a host of local priests who conducted the holy rituals. They offered purification prayers and blessings in each room to thwart “evil forces” from the bungalow.
Interestingly, some employees have also reported that they witnessed “paranormal activities” in the form of noises and of alarms going off in the bungalow.
The former CM Kalikho Pul committed suicide in August, 2016 which was followed by the death of another staff member posted at the same bungalow in October. Both the deaths led to rumours that “bad vibes” had gripped the premises.
According to Minister Nabam Rebia, the purification rituals at the bunglow were conducted to eliminate public perceprion.
Rebia further asserted, “I don’t believe in superstition or rituals and have always discouraged any such practices in my personal life too.”
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Shakuntala D Gamlin told media that, “before formally occupying this place we have conducted a Suddhi (purification) ceremony. Hopefully, now this place will turn into a auspicious place.”
The state chief minister’s bungalow was constructed in 2007-08, during the regime of former Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu. The estimated cost of bungalow is Rs 59.55 crore.
