Stop border fencing: Trinamool Congress
Source: The Sangai Express

Moreh, September 08 2013: Demanding immediate halt to the ongoing border fencing along the indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district, Trinamool Congress legislature wing leader Dr I Ibohalbi Singh said the project may resume only after an amicable solution is brought about between the two friendly countries - India and Myanmar.

On the other hand, a highly placed source informed The Sangai Express that the Ministry of External Affairs has asked Chief Minister O Ibobi not to depute any dignitary to oversee the border row as there is immense tension at Myanmar over the issue.

Briefing mediapersons at Moreh Trade Centre, Dr ibohalbi maintained that the present boundary line between india and Myanmar is not clear and because of the present boundary fencing vast land of Manipur would be lost.

Proposing that the Union Government take the responsibility for demarcating the boundary line, he also reminded that vast tract of land of Wild Life sanctuary are lost and damaged on account of construction of the border fencing.

TC team inspecting border

asking the border fencing implementing agency whether permission from departments like forest, revenue, DC or SDO concerned were taken regarding construction of border fencing, the Trinamool legislator demanded furnishing of a white paper on the matter.

He also conveyed that a memorandum will be submitted to the Government of india through the Trinamool Congress MPs.

The press briefing was given at Moreh Trade Centre after inspection of the present fencing work at Govajang village, which has been dissected into two consequent to the controversial border fencing.

The Trinamool Congress team also inspected the disputed area of Haollenphai village, where a temporary camp of the Myanmar military was constructed recently near the 'fake' Border Pillar 23 .

joining the media briefing, MLA Th Shyamkumar accused the Indian Army is remaining silent inspite of the unwanted developments in Haollenphai village.

"They (army) simply sat at a comfortable distance from the fake BP 23 where the Myanmarese army recently constructed temporary camp, very near from the disputed land of BP 23," said the Andro AC MLA.

Stating that inaction and attitude of the Indian army constrains one to think that they (Indian army) are under the command of the Myanmar, Shyamkumar said Trinamool Congress will proposed deployment of State forces instead of Indian army at Moreh border.

Responding to a poser from The Sangai Express, Dr ibohalbi described as 'very unfortunate' remarks made by Principal Secretary (Home) Dr Sureshbabu that the present fencing is security fencing not Border fencing.

He said that the task of the high power committee headed by Dr Sureshbabu was just for spot verification and ascertain whether claims by civil society organisations regarding border incursion by Myanmar were correct and submit the report to the government.

the committee chairman (Dr sureshbabu) has no power to make such remarks.

If it is security fencing, where will the boundary fencing be constructed, he questioned.

On September 7, a team of Trinamool Congress MLAs including Dr ibohanbi, Kunjo, K Sarat, Th Shyamkumar, Th Bishwajit and O Lukhoi visited Moreh to inspect the present controversial border fencing at Govajang village and construction of Myanmar Army bunker near the fake BP 23 at Haollenphai village.

The team also interacted with the village chiefs and local authorities.