Apprehensive of ceding territory due to border fencing...JD-U bats for all parties meeting
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 07 2016: Taking serious note of the likelihood of losing sizeable parts of Manipur's territory on account of border fencing, JD-U Manipur unit president M Tombi has urged the State Government to convene a meeting of all political parties on the issue.

Speaking to media persons at their Babupara office today, M Tombi asserted that the Government of India should pay due attention to the issue as they are bound to protect the territory of Manipur for Manipur is a State of India.

Altogether 96 border pillars (BP); 32 to 48 in Churachandpur, 49 to 89 in Chandel and 90 to 130 in Ukhrul district have disappeared.

In addition, BP nos 64 to 68 and 75 to 78 have disappeared in Tuivai-Molcham area and Moreh-Tamu area respectively.

Seven other BPs (88 to 95) have disappeared in Charo Khunou area.

Pointing out that it was the Government of India which gifted away Kabow Valley to Myanmar, Tombi rued that both the Government of India and the Government of Manipur seem to have no clear idea about the international boundary line between Myanmar and India (Manipur).

Construction of border fence started in 2013 but it was halted after an all-parties delegation led by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam went to New Delhi and demanded immediate suspension of the border fencing work.

Recently, the Government of India initiated fresh measures to resume the border fencing work and many civil society organisations and a large section of the society have expressed strong apprehension about the likelihood of Manipur losing a substantial part of its territory.

The issue was also discussed in the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The issue merits a meeting of all political parties before there is a public uproar, Tombi said.

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