Myanmar asks India to stop ICP construction
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 08 2013 :
Myanmar has appealed to the Government of Myanmar to stop construction of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) being constructed at Moreh in line with India's Look East Policy.
A team of Myanmar officials attempted to submit a memorandum when a team of Indian officials led by MHA Joint Secretary Shambhu Singh conducted a spot assessment of the disputed border areas yesterday but the Myanmarese team were not allowed to submit any memorandum for their approach was not formal.
Lt Col Toon Win Oong of Myanmar 87 Light Infantry Regiment today approached the CO of 9 Assam Rifles and submitted a memorandum appealing to stop construction work of the ICP.
Ground work and other works for construction of the ICP near Moreh Gate No 1 was halted as the Myanmarese authority contended that the said area is a part of Myanmar.
But the construction work resumed after Moreh SDPO Balram intervened.
The memorandum received today contended that the area where the ICP is being constructed belongs to the territory of Myanmar.
Acknowledging India's claim that the same area belongs to India, the memorandum maintained that the area is a disputed site.
It urged the Government of India to halt the construction work until the matter is settled by a joint team of the two neighbouring countries.
During their spot assessment yesterday, the Indian team led by Shambhu Singh also visited Hollenphai where the Myanmarese army erected wooden fence and constructed a camp.
Notably, Shambhu stated that the border issue would be settled diplomatically and the Indo-Myanmar border may be re-demarcated starting from the zero point, if necessary.
He further maintained that the area where the ICP is being constructed belongs and Myanmar has no right to say anything about it.