MPs stress on importance of all weather road at border areas
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 05 2020: Due to the blunders committed by representatives of India and Manipur in the 1967 Indo-Burma Boundary Commission, "we are facing the consequences today," stated Lok Sabha MP Dr RK Ranjan yesterday.

The MP was speaking at a one-day awareness programme on cane and bamboo and its application at Nongkam Satang Village in Tengnoupal district on August 4.The programme was jointly organized by Central Agricultural University (CAU), Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS) Manipur and Nongkam Satang, Choktong and Machi Village Authorities, Tengnoupal district and supported by Cane and Bamboo Technology Centre (CBTC), Guwahati, Assam under North Eastern Council, Ministry of DoNER.

Dr Ranjan, who attended the programme as the chief guest said, the India-Burma Boundary Agreement in 1967 mentioned that the traditional boundary would be respected and also according to a study conducted by the UN Department of Geography the border pillars of India and Burma are still intact.

However, because of the mistakes committed by the representatives of India and Manipur in the 1967 Indo-Burma Boundary Commission "we are facing the consequences today," he said.

Speaking about the importance of an all-weather road in border areas in order to boost economic activity, the MP further said that a proposal will be sent to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways through the State Government to construct an all-weather road.

Without motorable road and health infrastructure, border areas cannot be developed, he said.

Stating that the Maring community are master craftsmen in cane and bamboo products, he also expressed his desire to organize more awareness programmes to promote the activity.

The MP further said that the agro climate of the area is suited for multiple cropping according to a team from CAU who have tested the soil.

It is suited for planting litchi and agar trees besides bamboo which grow abundantly in the area.

Planting these crops will help in boosting the economy of the villagers.

Stating that the people living in the border areas are the guardians of the border, the MP also assured that he will try to help in all possible ways to boost the economy of the people.

MP Dr Lorho S Pfoze, who attended as the president of the programme, said that the connectivity in the region is in a deplorable condition.

There is an urgent need to repair the road between Lamlong Khunou and Nongkam Satang in order to develop an international market place at Nongkam Satang to enhance formal trade between India and Myanmar.

It is also necessary to talk with Burmese and Indian Governments to promote these activities, he added.

Vice-Chancellor of Central Agricultural University (CAU) Prof M Premjit said that Nongkam Satang village is a suitable place for lichi, coconut, cane and bamboo.

He said he is willing to set up a centre for scientific plantation and skill development of these plants at Nongkam Satang in consultation with the Members of Parliament (MPs) present today.

There is also a need for establishment of tissue culture for mass production of nursery plants, he added.

DC of Tengnoupal district Rajkumar Mayanglambam, who attended as one of the guests of honour, informed that there is a plan to construct a road between Lamlong Khunou and Nongkam Satang under a programme of Assam Rifles.

Informing that he has already issued a no-objection certificate for the road construction, he said that he will urge for a speedy process.

The DC also assured to solve the issues of lack of mobile network, lack of health facilities and primary school in the region through a new scheme of the Prime Minister.

Additional Superintendent of Police of Tengnoupal district Th Krishnatombi Singh said that after crossing the border, all the roads in Myanmar are motorable roads, but in the case of Manipur, there is no road from pillar nos.71 to 87.This can be a threat to National security, he added.

During the programme, hand sanitizers, masks and hand gloves were distributed to the villagers which were provided by the Directorate of Health Services, Government of Manipur and Manipur University.

Former Minister Morung Makunga was also present as one of the guests of honour of the programme.

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