Stop border fencing till issue resolved: UCM to Govt
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 06 2021: United Committee Manipur (UCM) president Joychandra Konthoujam has contended that fencing works being carried out along the border belt in Manipur-Myanmar must be halted until the issues over land disputes are resolved.

He made the statement while offering floral tributes to the final resting place of martyrs a t"The Great June Uprising Memorial Complex, Kekrupat" on Wednesday in connection with the last day of the month of Langban.

Joychandra said that the people of Manipur have always voiced their stand on maintaining the territorial integrity of the state and even showed the Government of India that they are ready to sacrifice their lives for the same.

Unable to bear the pressure, the Union government then removed the phrase "without territorial limit" from the cease fire agreement signed with NSCN (IM) on July 27, 2001.This should be known to the younger generation of the state.

Taking the above into context, it does not matter whether the border fencing work along Indo-Myanmar border is for security or boundary purposes.

However, the work should be halted until all issues are resolved, he said, while cautioning that the Centre would be held solely responsible for any unwanted consequences resulting from the same.

Joychandra continued: "The authorities concerned have been compiling reports for resolving the Indo-Myanmar issue, while UCM has called on the commandant of BRTF in this regard.

The Commandant conveyed that the fencing being installed at present is for security purposes and done as per the instructions of the Ministry of Home.

He (Commandant) further maintained that the security fencing is an effective means of preventing influx of migrants, drug and arms smuggling activities.

Around 10 km of the wall fencing has 15 gates, of which 10 are smaller in size and 5 are the bigger gates".

Stating that UCM will try to verify the information provided by the Commandant from the relevant authorities, the president said that time has come to resolve the border issue and as such, urged the central and state governments to look into the matter.

Any delay could flame the matter to explode out of control, he cautioned.

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