Cease fencing between BP 81-82: UCM
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 01 2022: United Committee Manipur (UCM) has asserted that the ongoing fencing work along the Indo-Myanmar Border Pillar No 81 and 82 at Kwatha Khunou sector should be suspended till the dispute over the boundary is resolved.

It also said that the government should stop the work immediately and not invite public agitation like the June 18 over the issue.

A team of UCM led by its president Joychandra Konthoujam and secretary Ng Deba on Tuesday inspected the border fencing work between International Border Pillar No 81 and 82.Speaking to media persons in connection with the visit, UCM president Joychandra asserted that the Committee will never accept such behind-the-scenes construction of international border fencing, when the border dispute is yet to be resolved.

The Union and state governments must immediately conduct survey of the border and if the work is not discontinued at once, it will lead to a public agitation, he cautioned.

Joychandra mentioned that the border fencing work was banned in August last year, but the work was found continued and this time 1 km more in the Manipur side.

The border fencing when fully erected will demarcate India's and Manipur's border, he noted and reiterated that the said work should be undertaken only when the border issue with Myanmar is resolved.

Fencing of border without resolving the boundary dispute will not be accepted by UCM as well as by the people of state, he maintained.

Joychandra also conveyed that they have apprised Union minister of state for external affairs Dr RK Ranjan in this regard.

The Committee and Manipuri people have no objection to strengthening the bilateral ties with Myanmar, but it should not be at the cost of negotiation of state's boundary.

On the other hand, secretary Ng Deba stressed that UCM will never go back on its resolution and commitment to protect the identity and territorial integrity of Manipur and as part of its aim the Committee has been checking various disputed international boundary pillars in the state.

Despite repeated requests to the government for resolving the boundary issue, it has remained silent instead of taking any action.

If the government continues to overlook the matter, then it must be ready to face a similar public agitation like that happened on June 18, he cautioned, and suggested that the government immediately conduct a survey to ascertain how much state's boundary has been affected.

Deba further cautioned that constructing international border fencing that too at locations not yet resolved is akin to courting public unrest.

Meanwhile, the UCM team during its visit distributed 3000 betel nut saplings, 1000 saplings each of litchi and cashew nut to the villagers of Kwatha and Kwatha Khunou to help in income generation for farmers as well as to stop deforestation in the area.

A UCM Kwatha Unit was also constituted during the tour of UCM leaders.

Comment