CM urged to clarify BP statement ICHAM sets one month deadline
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 01 2016 :
Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM) has warned of launching intense agitation if the State Govt fails to clarify the alleged stand of the Chief Minister, who reportedly feigned ignorance about the erection of border pillar along the Manipur-Myanmar border in the recently concluded Manipur Legislative Assembly, within one month.
Addressing media persons today at the residence of ICHAM adviser BB Sharma located at Uripok, general secretary of ICHAM, Ngachonmi Ramshang said the India and Myanmar were blamed for the contestation due to border fencing inside Manipur's territory which resulted in stalling the work.
However, as evident from the missives of the Ministry of External Affairs, it turns out that the State Govt has been deceiving the people of Manipur without executing its responsibilities.
Directors' level meeting between the Survey Dept of Indian and Myanmar was held on Nov 4 last year at Tamu, Myanmar.
As agreed during the meeting, the detailed work for joint inspection of border pillars and joint survey/construction of subsidiary border pillars along the border was scheduled to be held on Dec 8 last year, Ngachonmi said.
The matter was intimated to the State Govt through the Chief Secretary with a request to depute pillar construction team along with the Survey of India detachments for carrying out the work and assistance.
The State Govt was also asked to provide necessary security and logistic support to the survey team, he said.
In pursuance of the agreement with the Myanmar counterpart, surveyors for Manipur sector � Biraj Kalita, Supriyo Das and Baptu Paul were deputed.
The officials came till BP 79-82 on Dec 8 last year.
The Deputy Commissioner and Additional DC of Chandel district were in the know of the officials' visit to the border as evident from official letters which are also in the possession of ICHAM, Ngachonmi said.
As per documents available with ICHAM, Myanmar authority has respected the traditional boundary with Manipur.
However, as erection of subsidiary border pillars for putting up fencing is necessitated, it has granted permission for erection of subsidiary border pillars to the Indian authority, Ngachonmi said.
At the same time, the Centre has entrusted the State Govt for border pillar erection works.
Besides, the State Govt has been authorised to take up measures so that no piece of the State's territory is lost in the process.
However, the alleged lethargic attitude of the State Govt is becoming the potential reason for losing large chunk of State territory, Ngachonmi added.
Although people living along the Indo-Myanmar border have been protecting the boundary, there is likelihood of losing large portion of the State territory to Myanmar due to indifferent attitude of the State Govt, Ngachonmi said.
He further appealed to denizens of Chandel, Churachandpur and Ukhrul districts to extend maximum cooperation to ICHAM in its efforts to protect the State territory.
ICHAM president N Rajendro (Boy) said that it was very unfortunate that the CM admitted his ignorance about the border pillar erection issue in the recently concluded State Assembly session.
Strongly condemning the alleged deceptive conduct of the CM, Boy said it is very surprising that the CM feigned ignorance about the matter, even though the matter has been highlighted to the Chief Secretary.
This is one reason why people have lost trust in the Government.
He demanded that fitting action should be initiated against officials of the State Govt including the Chief Secretary if they had deliberately kept the CM in the dark about the matter.
And if the CM pretended ignorance about the matter, he should clarify before the people of the State at the earliest, Boy demanded.
Boy also asked if there is any hidden agenda to cede parts of the State's territory to Myanmar.
Demanding the State Govt to set the record straight within one month, ICHAM along with like minded organisations and villagers along the border will launch severe agitation, he warned.
ICHAM publicity secretary Ambition Thangal and adviser BB Sharma also attended the press meet.