Presence of Chromites in disputed Haolenphai confirmed
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 31 2013 :
Along with large quantities of Ophiolite rocks, presence of Chromites abundantly has been confirmed at Haolenphai village in Moreh along Indo-Myanmar border, where the Myanmarese army was trying to construct their base camp.
According to reports received from the Industries Department, Haolenphai village, which is presently under dispute after the border pillar no.76 fixed earlier, went missing and the Myanmares authorities installed border pillar no.23 in the area, is rich in Ophiolite rocks.
This is also mentioned in the list of possible mineral rich areas brought out by Geological Survey of India (GSI) in 1995 .
However, according to a recent survey of GSI, the deposits of Ophiolite rocks was not found in the said area but a rich belt of Ophiolite rocks were found closer toward the Indo-Myanmar border.
The presence of rich chromites in the belt has also been confirmed.
Reports disclosed that at a distance of around 6 kms from Haolenphai village, where deposits of Ophiolite rocks are found, another area covering a length and breadth of 4kms and 1.2 kms respective is also found to be rich in Ophiolite deposits.
The area is where Mangkang village was situated once.
Villages located in and around the area including Minou, Thongphai, Chikim, Champhai, Thongjai, Maipi and Tatjang also have rich deposits of Ophiolite rocks.
It may be mentioned that the CO of LIR, Myanmar Area 87 had conveyed to ADC, Moreh that Haolenphai village is located within the territory of Myanmar according to their map.
Subsequently, the Myanmarese army started cutting down trees in the area for constructing their base camp and even insisted that the construction process would not stop until the Myanmarese higher authorities ask to do so.