Central team to scan disputed areas: UCM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 19 2021:
United Committee Manipur (UCM) said that a high level central team would inspect disputed areas along the India-Myanmar border belt in Manipur sector in October this year so that disputes over boundary and Border Pillars (BP) could be resolved amicably.
Informing this during a press conference held at its Lamphelpat office on Sunday, UCM president Konthoujam Joychandra said that Union minister of state for external affairs Dr RK Ranjan has assured the committee that a high level team of Central government s Border Cell will visit Manipur in October and inspect the disputed BPs between India and Myanmar.
The development has come after UCM submitted a memorandum to Union minister RK Ranjan urging his intervention towards bringing an end to boundary dispute and Border Pillar issue, Joychandra said, adding that the Union minister had informed the committee to invite all stakeholders taking part in investigation of the disputed boundary and BPs.
Border fencing is being done by Ministry of Home Affairs and the boundary demarcation would be done through application of the laser fencing project and have broader road, Joychandra said, adding that the Union minister has been apprised to make arrangement for inviting Myanmarese side during the upcoming survey and border fencing work be stopped until the existing dispute is resolved.
It is not known whether the border fencing work being undertaken by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is for boundary or security even though chief minister N Biren had said that it is for security but the committee is trying to secure relevant documents including work order from the BRO to ascertain whether the fencing is for boundary or security, Joychandra said, adding border fencing should be done only after resolving all disputes along the international boundary.
As Border Pillar No 79 to 88 remains disputed, UCM will set up a committee of experts to procure all relevant materials and documents before the Border Cell's visit to the state, he said and expressed hope that the assurance given by the Union minister of state for external affairs would be translated into action in the interest of the people of the state.