UCM asks Govt to clarify on border fencing
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 28 2021: Demanding immediate halting of the ongoing border fencing work by the BRTF along the Indo-Myanmar border, United Committee Manipur (UCM) has urged the state government to clarify to the people on how the fencing work is being carried out.

In a statement, UCM recounted that one of its teams visited the Indo-Myanmar border pillar no 81 on August 26 after receiving reports of fencing work being undertaken by BRTF including installation of a subsidiary pillar in the area, which has been in dispute since 2018.The team also filled up all the holes that had been dug up in the area in connection with the fencing works.

During the visit, UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam claimed that the present location of border pillar no 81 was incorrect, stating that the original site should be at a distance of 3km.This was confirmed by the nearby residents of Kwatha.

A team of Surveyor of India had also visited the site in 2018 but the issue was not resolved.

Declaring that UCM will not agree to BRTF's move to resume the border fencing work along with installation of subsidiary pillar; the Committee said that construction of the fences without resolving the dispute is disrespecting the wishes of the people.

It further accused the state government of doing the same intentionally and urged the same to clarify at the earliest.

Further urging union minister of state for external affairs Dr RK Ranjan to help resolve the issue, the Committee demanded for demarcation of the borders as per the 1976 agreement and take a firm decision, just like the Mizoram government.

UCM also urged BRTF to stop all fencing works along the border belt, while reiterating that the Committee will never compromise on the integrity of the state.

Meanwhile', UCM general secretary Ng Dev recounted that during the Surveyor of India team's visit to border pillar no 81, UCM and other bodies had repeatedly stressed that it was not in the correct location.

The central team was also informed that the river across border pillar no 81 was part of the Indian Territory.

However, instead of resolving the issue at hands, several delaying tactics are being adopted.

"Since Manipur's merger into India, the territory of the state is slowly shrinking.

An example of one of these lost lands includes the Kabaw valley which was given away to Myanmar by the then government".

Stating that continuation of the works without resolving the disputes could lead to another people's movement, Dev said that UCM is prepared to stand against such acts and urged the central and state governments to work in accordance with the sentiments of the people of the state.

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