Border trade put on hold due to instability at Yangon : Dr Ranjan
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 30 2022:
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Dr Rajkumar Ranjan has stated that the Central Government is unable to resume border trade with Myanmar due to the political instability in the neighbouring country.
Addressing the media at his Kongba Nandeibam Leikai residence today, the MoS continued that the Central and State Governments are all prepared to reopen the border gates but the political instability in Myanmar is proving otherwise.
Saying that the situation in the neighbouring country is also hindering the works related to Act East Policy, Dr Ranjan maintained that the Centre, however, has handed over a project to construct 69 bridges in Myanmar to private firms about 2 months back.
Dr Ranjan further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has drawn special attention to the shifting of people from border areas in large scale due to urbanisation in a meeting of Council of Ministers held recently.
Human migration in large scale, from the border areas to the hinterland can be detrimental as people from neighbouring countries can furtively enter, settle on the abandoned lands and claim ownership over a course of time.
Due to the absence of proper census in the past in Manipur and movement of people across boundaries there are chances of migrants getting assimilated with the local populace, he added.
In Mizoram, people coming from other places are being monitored closely even if they share a common identity, the MoS maintained.
Further stating that there is a proposal to build all weather road and other infrastructure in border areas and he has discussed the same with Chief Minister N Biren Singh and Works Minister Govindas Konthoujam, Dr Ranjan maintained that he will also send a proposal to construct 4-5 border haats in between Jessami, Kamjong and Behiang.
The MoS opined that guarding the border areas will be difficult if the socio economic condition of the people there is not uplifted through tourism or any other initiatives.
"It will also be constructive to engage our diasporas in Bangladesh and Myanmar in the import-export business of specialised goods and the Ministry may arrange the linkage for the same," he added.