State's boundary clearly defined: CM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, March 26 2022:
The first session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, which began from March 23, concluded on Saturday.
On the last day of the three-day session, chief minister N Biren made an assurance of maintaining the international boundary of the state and resolving the inter-state boundary issue through diplomatic channel.
Responding to calling attention motion moved by members of the House regarding the indefinite bandh called by Southern Angami Public Organisation (SAPO) on NH 2, Biren said that the area claimed by SAPO belongs to Manipur and the dispute surrounding Dzuko valley area is a chronic one.
Two third of the total area of Dzuko valley belongs to Manipur and the boundary of the state is clearly defined in the international map.
The government is taking up various initiatives in connection with the indefinite bandh called by SAPO against the establishment of IRB post and a formal letter had already been sent to the chief secretary of Nagaland on March 23 .
The outpost is located within the state's area at a distance of about 100 metres from Nagaland's boundary.
The claim is only from SAPO and not from Nagaland government and the government is putting efforts to resolve the issue at the earliest.
He had also requested the union home minister for intervention.
There were incidents of SAPO enforcing mandatory passes/permits from them to enter Dzuko Valley and many became victim of their excess activities including assault and detention as the main route of entry is from Nagaland side.
During the recent inferno that raged the valley, he himself conducted aerial survey from a helicopter.
As there were high possibilities of the fire spreading to the neighbouring village of Mao, he communicated with the union home minister after which the Centre sent four helicopters to put off the fire.
As there was no nearby water source on the state's side the helicopters sourced water from Dimapur and put out the fire.
There is a big forest called Khorjire and there were reports of people from Nagaland side cutting down trees from the forest illegally.
Consequent to the incidents, the government has completed construction of a 15-km long road from Manipur's side.
Residents of several villages in the surrounding area of Dzuko Valley were taken into consideration before deploying the IRB post, he said.
In the letter to the chief secretary of Nagaland, the state government asked for taking up necessary steps to withdraw the bandh immediately while offering to resolve the dispute through talks between the two states.
A government team led by minister Awangbow Newmai is communicating with SAPO to resolve the dispute through diplomatic channel.
Steps are being taken up to bring in stranded state natives under security cover.
The government will also take up necessary steps to bring them in through Jiribam if the situation demands, he said.
While moving the calling attention motion, opposition member K Ranjit requested the Speaker to discuss the matter for half an hour since the issue concerns all the 60 members of the House.
In response, speaker Th Satyabrata asked the leader of the House to give a detailed report in this regard and complete the discussion as a calling attention motion.
In his motion, MLA Ranjit spoke about the implications of the indefinite bandh called by SAPO on NH 2 and its impact on the people of the state including reactions from different sections of the society and enquired about the measures taken up by the state government to resolve the issue.
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