Governor urged to finalise boundary demarcation
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 11 2022:
Writer cum politician Hareswar Goswami met Governor La Ganesan on Monday and submitted a memorandum demanding that the fencing along India-Myanmar international border in Manipur sector be resumed only after proper demarcation, verification and resolution of the disputed border area.
Hareswar also highlighted the matter to President Ram-nath Kovind through a written complaint.
The memorandum submitted by Hareswar Goswami to the Governor demanded proper and complete demarcation of all the disputed areas along India-Myanmar international boundary in Manipur sector with participation of all stakeholders.
It said that boundary pillars in disputed areas should be fixed based on survey conducted in 1896 as the boundary agreement of March 10,1967 signed between India government and Burma (now Myanmar) government was based on the survey conducted in 1896.Accordingly, the ongoing fencing along India-Myanmar should be considered as a serious national issue and stop fencing works until resolution of the matter.
In the memorandum, Hareswar pointed out that loss of Manipur's land is loss of India's land and the agreement of March 10,1967 is the origin of the present dispute over location of Border Pillars.
Formal demarcation of traditional boundary should be made after signing the agreement and the Burmese started destruction and shifting of traditional landmarks before demarcation based on the agreement.
Inspector general of police reported about activities of the Burmese military including removal of Border Pillars and threatening villagers in 1972, he recalled, adding that vast area of India could be lost if a complete demarcation is not done.
Citing report in 'The Statistical Handbook of Manipur (presently Statistical Year Book of Manipur) ', Hareswar Goswami said that the geographical area of Manipur was 22,357 square kilometre in 1978 but is it only 22,327 square kilometre now.
The missing area could be verified only after complete demarcation and verification within a short time, he added.