Chief accuses
Source: The Sangai Express

Moreh, August 20 2013: Myanmar authorities have been accused of trying to construct houses at Haolenphai, a village sand-wiched between Border Pillars 75 and 77 in Chandel district.

Significantly, Haolenphai is also a village Government of Manipur has reportedly de-cided to develop as 'model town' .

Speaking to reporters today, chief of Haolenphai village Lalkholun Haokip said that some Myanmarese nationals recently came to the village and tried to build hou-ses.

When the village chief talked to them, the Myan-marese nationals told him that they were there as per instruction of Myanmarese Army.

When the chief said that the land belongs to India and they could not construct any structure, the Myanmarese nationals ceased till date, Lal- kholun said.

He also feared that the Myanmar authority might claim the land through any means while drawing the attention of the authority concerned to stop them.

In and around the village, a Border Pillar 23 has been erected by Myanmar.

9 Assam Rifles stationed near the BP-23 had hoisted two flags near the pillar a month back.

The Myanmar army had taken the flags on August 16 morning around 7.30.The matter was also informed to the Post Commander of 9 AR at Gate No 1, the chief said.

Whenever Myanmarese armies passed through the T Minou road which is under construction by the BRTF, they claimed that the adjoining areas belong to them, he said.

Maintaining that villagers started settling in the present Haolenphai village since 1992, the chief said it has around 50 households with a population of over 250 people.

The villagers pay Hill House Tax regularly to the Government of Manipur and enjoy adult franchise and other welfare schemes like MGNREGS.

The chief said that the State Government has earlier decided to develop the village as model town.

Lalkholun further pointed out that the Myanmarese Army intruded into the village on several occasions.

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