MHA, Myanmar set to discuss border fencing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 07 2013 : The Minis-try of Home Affairs will call on Myanmar authorities to resolve the current Indo-Myanmar border fencing row in Moreh, Chandel district through di-plomatic level, said Shambu Singh, joint secretary North East, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The union Government will invite Myanmar for a bi-lateral meeting at the end of this month or the first week of next year.

The joint secretary stated this during his official inspection conducted today at Moreh along with officials from the MHA, Surveyor General of India, BRO officials and representatives of the joint political parties of the state.

The inspection was led by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam.

The officials from Delhi include joint secretary (border Management) SK Mishra; Director of Surveyor general of India (SOI) Srinivas; KK Das Sarkar of SOI and Chief Engineer of BRO Sewak Pro-ject VK Agarwal.

MHA Jt Secy Sambhu Singh inspection at Indo-Myanmar border

The joint team also inspe-cted the Border pillar number 23 at Holanphai Village, BP 77, 21 near Tamil Sangam, BP 79 Muslim Basti and BP 80 at Govajang village.

speaking to media persons, Shambu observed that the current border issue can be divided into Fencing divi-ding the villages and confu- sion over Border Pillars creating uneasy atmosphere.

"We have to go by what had been agreed long ago or if the outcome is not positive we will raise the issue at bilateral level for a revision", he said.

Terming the issue more complicated compared to Indo-Bangla and Indo-Pakistan, he claimed that series of meeting was held with regard to the issue and have been inviting the Myanmar authority but the problem is that none of the competent authority of Myanmar came forward for reasons best known to them.

"We have to adopt give and take policy", he said adding that in order to reach to a compromise solution both the nations must understand each other's problems.

"We have to accept some and give some", he further added.

The issue needs to be addressed in a bilateral manner with both the nations coming to the negotiating table as Myanmar is a friendly neighbour.

For this the Indian side will call on the Myanmar Government and raise relevant issues pertaining to the current border row including reports of alleged intimidation and disturbances in the process, said Shambu.

If need be the GOI India will persuade Myanmar to conduct a joint resurvey of "Zero" point, said the joint secretary NE MHA.

Attributing the current outcome (inspection by central official team) to the sincere initiative by the joint political party led by the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, conveyed appreciation towards the Government of India and hoped that it will yield positive results.

he also expressed optimism that the GOI will settle the issue upto the expectation of the people.

The deputy CM appealed to the general public, security forces and other agencies to be more responsive in informing authorities concerned in the event of any incidents that could affect the interest of the Nation.

At the same time, he urged law enforcing agencies including AR, state forces etc to be more alert.

During the inspection the committee on protection of Land in border fencing (CPLBF) Manipur and ICHAM jointly submitted a memorandum to the visiting officials.

Meanwhile, amid tension officials from Myanmar side intruded into Indian territory and halted the ongoing construction work of Integrated Check Post on the pretext that the work is carried near the area of disputed Border Pillar.

However, the work resumed following the intervention of the SDPO Moreh, Balaram.