Imphal, March 19, 2010: Refer ring to the reported plan of the Government to hand over certain portion of border area where a Tamil temple stands today to Myanmar in order to settle the uncertainty about the exact location of border pillar number 78 so that it can go ahead with its border fen ing initiative in Moreh sector through Yangoijpokpi Wildlife Sanctuary, the All Manipur United Clubs' Organization (AMUCO) has raised strong objection.

A press release issued by AMUCO publicity secretary NC Modhuchandra asserted that the Government's arrangement to provide an alternative site for the Tamil temple together with an assurance to provide money required for construction of the temple is a clear indication that there is still threats and challenges to the territorial integrity of Manipur.

Recalling the historic mass rally of August 4,1997 and supreme sacrifices made by people of Manipur during the epoch-making movement of June, 2001, the AMUCO cautioned both the State Government as well as New Delhi to tread carefully so as to avoid recurrence of such events ever again.

Pointing out the close relationship between demography and territorial size of a country, the AMUCO ob served that almost all nations are always vigilant against intrusion or occupation of any part of their territory by foreign countries as well as influx of foreigners as this would up set demographic balance of the country.

That was why, wars were fought to conquer or safe guard territories of nations.

While China is on a mission to claim more and more territories with a view to re dress the existing demographic imbalance, India is pursuing an appeasement policy towards its neighbors in the form of gifting its own territories.

Arunachal Pradesh is being claimed by China after the upper portion of Jammu and Kashmir has been occupied by China and Pakistan.

India has also gifted away Samjok, Kallei and Khambet areas of Kabow Valley to Myanmar which legally belonged to Manipur without any sort of negotiation.

Moreover, New Delhi is still unable to draw a clear line of demarcation through Dzuko Valley.

Asserting that the initiative to hand over some portions of the territory of Manipur to Myanmar by removing the Tamil temple where it exists today is unacceptable, AMUCO observed that the Government of India's readiness to provide money and alternative site to re-build the temple only exposed New Delhi's total lack of concern for the territory of Manipur.

The same initiative needs serious analysis from the perspective of wildlife too.

The Government should be sensitive enough not to put the whole wildlife of the sanctuary under risk and sacrifice land of the State in the name of border fencing.

The AMUCO would like leaders of the State to review the initiative being pursued most vigorously by the State.

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