Contrary to Govt claim, border fencing continues
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, February 09 2023:
Even as the state government claimed that the fencing work in the disputed areas of the Indo Myanmar border has been suspended, it is reportedly being carried out in full swing.
A team of Peace Committee Kangleipak Manipur (PECKAM) accompanied by media persons visited the Indo-Myanmar border to colour/paint the border pillars 80/11sp, 80/16sp and 80/17sp.Speaking to media persons during the inspection visit, PECKAM president Kh Rajesh Meitei expressed strong resentment that in-spite of the state government's announcement made recently that all fencing works have been put on hold till amicable settlement of the dispute over installation of border pillars, the fencing work is still underway.
He further informed that border pillar number 80 and 81 were coloured when they visited the same site on Janu ary 4 last during which there were no fencing between border pillar number 80/16sp and 80/17sp.However, in the latest visit, almost all the fencing works in the area were found completed but with the said border pillars 30 metres inside Myanmar.
He also pointed out that the work agency entrusted to execute the project was found constructing the fencing in a straight line in-spite of the fact that international boundaries are never straight.
Clarifying that PECKAM has no intention to incite people of the state to create unwanted situations, but only informing the ground reality, Rajesh maintained that the state government needs to inform the truth and ease the tension gripping up the public due to apprehension of Manipur's land being given away to Myanmar.
He also quoted some personnel of Border Roads Organisation as saying that the fencing works are being executed by around 350 labourers on a daily basis.
Rajesh also expressed discontentment over the manner in which the fencing work is being done with location of majority of the earlier border pillars now lying on the side of Myanmar.