Indo-Myanmar border row Committee formed, Govt boycotted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 22 2016 : Condem-ning the indifferent attitude of the State Govt towards the Indo-Myanmar border row, the Information Centre for Hill Areas Manipur (ICHAM) together with affected villagers of border areas have formed the Chandel-Ukhrul Indo-Myan-mar Border Land Protection Committee and resolved to boycott the State Govt agencies in its jurisdiction with regard to border pillar and fencing works with immediate effect.

Addressing media persons today at the residence of ICHAM adviser BB Sharma located at Uripok, general secretary of ICHAM, Nga-chonmi Ramshang said that earlier the Govt of India and Myanmar were blamed for the contestation which arose due to erection of border fence inside Manipur's territory which resulted in stalling of the work.

However, as evident from the communication of the Ministry of External Affairs, it turns out that the State Govt has been deceiving the people of Manipur without executing its responsibilities.

He added that ICHAM has been pressing the State Govt to identify the traditional boundary and relocate the border pillars already erected and to clarify within one month as to why the CM claimed ignorance about the border pillar erection issue in the recently concluded State Assembly session.

Till today no concrete steps have been taken up by the State Govt in the larger interest of the people and safeguard the territorial integrity of Manipur, he alleged.

At such juncture, affected villagers and ICHAM have decided to form the ten member committee from 40 villages inhabited by different ethnic communities comprising of village headmen, chiefs, VA secretaries and others to safeguard the traditional boundary of Manipur, he added.

Unless a settlement or an understanding is brought by the State Govt with ICHAM and the committee to resolve the border issue at the earliest in the larger interest of Manipuri people, all border related activities of the State Govt will be banned indefinitely, Ngachonmi said.

While president of ICHAM N Rajendro (Boy) alleged that the attitude of the State Govt more importantly the Chief Minister has raised speculation that there could be a hidden agenda to sell off the land.

ICHAM has earlier demanded clarification on why such alleged careless attitude was shown by the Chief Minister towards its subject by feigning ignorance about the communication sent by the Surveyor of India and Ministry of External Affairs recently late last year through the Chief Secretary to provide necessary security and logistic support to the survey team.

s per documents available with ICHAM, Myanmar authority has respected the traditional boundary with Manipur.

However, as erection of subsidiary border pillars for putting up fencing is necessitated, it has granted permission for erection of subsidiary border pillar to the Indian authority, Rajendro said.

At the same time, the Centre has entrusted the State Govt for border pillar erection works.

Besides, the State Govt has been authorised to take up measures so that no piece of the State's territory is lost in the process.

"The alleged lethargic attitude of the State Govt is the reason for losing large chunk of State territory," he alleged.

Such inactive attitude form the leader of State is not acceptable at any cost and ICHAM strongly condemns it, said Rajendro.

The press meet was attended by village headmen and members of the newly floated Committee, Meanwhile, convener of the newly formed committee D Solomon of Nongam Satang village stated that any activity by agency of Manipur or India is totally banned in the border area relating to border fencing.

Further he said that the committee with ICHAM and the public of Manipur will launch other forms of agitation if the State Govt fails to take any positive steps in this connection.

On the other hand co-convener Kaphungyui Asare of Choro village stated that villagers will stand against land incursion and they are ready to face any consequences.

Chingshanglakpa of Changringpahi Piyah Maku expressed resentment against the State Govt that large portion of Manipur's land is lost because of an ineffective leadership shown by the Chief Minister.

He cautioned that the State Govt should be solely held responsible for any untoward incident arising due to the boycott call.

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