Union Home Secretary on security recce arrives
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 17: Along with reviewing the law and order situation of the State, Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta who arrived here along with Joint Secretary of MHA NE in-charge Nabin Burma and Director NE in-charge AK Gowal today has given the green signal to start putting up fencing over a distance of 10 kms along Indo-Myanmar border on Moreh side with effect from November 16.Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, an official source informed that the Central team who arrived at Imphal this morning by an Indigo flight from Guwahati convened a joint meeting at the mini conference hall of Secretariat (South Block).

After a serious deliberation on issues related to border fencing and the proposal of setting up a composite check post at Moreh, the meeting decided that the fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border on Moreh side would commence from November 16.

Union Home Secy with his men arrive at the Tulihal airport

Attended by Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home), DGP and representatives of BRTF, Industries and Banks, the meeting resolved that BRTF should start border fencing on Moreh side for 10 kms from next month by leaving aside the controversial border pillar no.78 and the remaining task would be carried out after the External Affairs Ministry sort out the matter with the Myanmarese Government.

The meeting felt that border fencing should not be delayed just because the officials of the two neighbouring countries do not see eye to eye on some controversial issues.

As for the proposal of setting a composite check post to facilitate the trade activities at the border town of Moreh, the Central team reviewed the progress made so far in this direction and made it clear that the Centre is ready to release the required fund if the State Government has acquired the necessary land.

To this, the State Government put forward that the necessary notification for acquiring the land under Section IV of the relevant Act had already been issued.

The visiting Union Home Secretary also reviewed the prevailing law and order situation of the State along with the Chief Secretary, prime Secretary (Home), DGP, IG of CRPF, IGAR (South), GOC 57 Mountain Division, DIG BSF, IGs of the State Police and Intelligence personnel.

During the course of reviewing the law and order situation, DIG Y Joykumar presented a detail report of the matter along with a thorough discussion on the modalities of the Suspension of Operation that the State Government is proposed to enter with the Kuki underground outfits operating in the State.

The law and order situation review by the Union Home Secretary was very general, the source added.

The Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta also reportedly called on Governor Dr SS Sidhu and Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh separately later during the day.

Talking to mediapersons soon after his arrival at Tulihal airport today, Union Home Secretary had stated that his visit to the State was to review the law and order situation and to discuss border management.

To a question on whether the issue related to Suspension of Operation with the Kuki outfits would be discussed or not, the Union Home Secretary refrained from giving a direct answer by simply saying that all the important issues would be discussed.

As to the ongoing crisis at Myanmar, he maintained that it is not his concern to give comments on the issue.

However, the Government of India is closely monitoring the crisis.