Myanmar snubs wall removal proposal
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 02 2013:
Myanmar authorities have reportedly rejected Indian representatives' appeal for removing the timber fencing at Holenphai village near Moreh town insisting that the barrier is within Myanmar territory.
It is said that the snub from the Myanmar side propped up at the border liaison meeting between SDPO, Moreh, who is also the immigration officer and DC, Tamu held on September 30 .
The said meeting was initiated by the Immigration Officer in the backdrop of the Myanmarese military constructing a base camp at Holenphai village, which is about 3-4 kilometres south of Moreh Town, said an informed source adding that Chandel Deputy Commissioner Th Chitaranjan, Superintendent of Police (chandel) E priyokumar and top officials of Assam Rifles represented Government of Manipur at the meeting held at Tamu DC office.
The Manipur delegates reportedly proposed to their Myanmar counterparts that the timber structure at Holenphai village be removed for the sake of maintaining status quo and help in easing the tension arising out of the Myanmar military's attempt to set up a base camp there.
In response, the Myanmar officials justified construction of the timber fencing for setting up the military base camp asserting that the area where India is planning to develop a new township falls within Myanmar territory, said the source.
The State representatives also highlighted to the Myanmar delegates that ongoing construction of boundary fencing at a 10 kilometre stretch from Moreh town area would result in Manipur/India losing substantial areas in between Moreh Gate No.4 and Govajang village.
Conveying that liaison meetings are held periodically at different locations to maintain healthy rapport between India and Myanmar, the source said that besides the boundary fencing issues both sides presented other border related issues at the meeting.
Among others the meeting discussed on measures to check smuggling of drugs and endangered wildlife species.
The meeting unable to arrive at an agreement on the boundary fencing issue assumes significance as a cross of section of people of Manipur had been voicing serious concern on the prospect of Manipur likely to lose substantial border areas once the fencing project is completed.