220 metre long fencing work completed at CCpur
Source: The Sangai Express / DIO

CCpur, April 26 2020: About 220 metres long barbed-wire fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border at Singngat subdivision of Churachandpur has been completed.

The fencing has been put up to curb cross border movement of people in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fencing was done at border areas of Pakmual, Tonjang and L Kanan villages.

To check cross border movement, one company of IRB in addition to the existing strength of Behiang PS is patrolling the border villages in the area.

Meanwhile, the temporary accommodation facility for the security personnel who have been moved to the area has also been completed and the workers who were sent for the construction work returned to the district headquarters on Saturday.

220 metre long fencing work completed at CCpur

It may be mentioned that one additional company of IRB has been deployed in the border area since April 22 .

SDPO Churachandpur has also been stationed at Behiang PS to monitor and supervise all activities along the border in coordination with the Assam Rifles.

Meanwhile the Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA) has underscored the growing need for keeping a strict vigil on the State's border with Myanmar.

A team of MDA went to the border village of Kwatha and surrounding areas yesterday to take stock of the COVID-19 situation.

Talking to media persons today at the Babupara office of Shiv Sena, Manipur about their visit to Kwatha and surrounding villages, MDA convenor M Tombi said that smuggling activities and unlawful cross border movement cannot be checked if the State's border with Myanmar is not properly guarded.

Although the Central and State Governments have sealed the Indo-Myanmar border in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak, there are many sectors along the Indo (Manipur)-Myanmar border which are wooded and quite porous.

As such, there is no guarantee that people from across the border would not enter Manipur through these porous sections, Tombi said.

Manipur-Myanmar border is about 398 Kms long and the international boundary runs through Ukhrul, Kamjong, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts.

A 44-Km long section of the Manipur-Myanmar border is under the jurisdiction of Moreh police station while the main responsibility of guarding the border is entrusted to AR troops.

It is impossible to man the entire length of the Manipur-Myanmar border.

As such, it is advisable to open more police stations and outposts in the border areas, Tombi said.

He said that opening police stations at Kwatha Khunou (near BP 81), T Yangoupokpi (near BP 73) and Lamlongei/Lilam would be very helpful in guarding the international border.

He further expressed keen desire to open police outposts at Tuiningphai (near BP 87) and Bongbal Khullen (near BP 79).Tombi conveyed that the MDA would submit a representation to the Chief Minister regarding their proposal and assessment.

He said that a memorandum would be submitted to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and the External Affairs Minister to resolve the Indo-Myanmar dispute over BP 81 permanently.

The MDA team distributed edible items to villagers of Kwatha, Kwatha Khunou, Govajang and Chalwa.