IPSA rues Centre's failure to protect state's territory
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, September 13 2021:
While stating that the people of Manipur are yet to recover from the shocking failure of the Surveyor General of India to abide by its own commitment, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) stressed the need for Union minister of state for external affairs to give special emphasis on border issue.
According to a statement issued by IPR secretary of IPSA Okram Thoi Meetei, erection of subsidiary pillars between Border Pillar (BP) No 80-81-82 and construction of security fencing along the India-Myanmar border as if there is no border dispute and no loss of land for India indeed is suppressive act of the Union government and Surveyor General of India.
This act of the government of India indeed is one of most vivid and clear examples of India's prolonged neglect of people and territory of Manipur.
Despite scores of incidents including violent clashes due to border dispute, it was very unfortunate that government simply declared in the recent past that there is no boundary dispute between India and Myanmar in Manipur sector and this declaration indeed exposes India's failure to recognise and consider its own people and land.
When Inner Manipur MP RK Ranjan, presently holding Union minister of state for external affairs post, raised a question in Parliament if there is border dispute in Manipur, the then Union home minister replied that there was no border dispute between India and Myanmar in Manipur sector.
In the effort to erect BPs after clear boundary demarcation particularly between BP No 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 and 88, India knowingly conceded territory of Manipur to Myanmar whatever the latter claimed.
Many unsettled pillars have now become settled ones after India simply signed agreements with the neighbouring country despite these pillars encroaching deep into territory of Manipur, the IPAK statement and asked if these agreements signed by India were acceptable to the people of Manipur.
In the recent past, Myanmar claimed that its territory extends up to Kakching district and India might concede to the claim of the neighbouring country and even Manipur too if it thinks serves national interest, the IPSA statement said and appealed to people of Manipur to understand India's mindset.