Never late is better
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 11, 2013 -

Better late than never!!

Yes, this is the consolation that the people and the social organisations which are crying hoarse against reported loss of a large portion of the State's territory to Myanmar on account of the ongoing border fencing work being constructed along the yet to be demarcated Indo-Myanmar International boundary by BRO under the supervision of Assam Rifles at Moreh could derive now.

At long last, a joint meeting convened by Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on Thursday with representatives of all National and Regional Political Parties in the State is learnt to have discussed the matter thoroughly and decided to dispatch a joint team of all-party to inspect the disputed border areas on October 22.

Based on the findings of the inspection team, which is to be led by Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam and included representatives of all the political parties, a draft memorandum is to be prepared and submit the same to the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister and other authorities concerned for taking up necessary actions.

This is what the people and various social organisations including political parties in Manipur have been demanding after the first report on Manipur's land ceding to Myanmar on account of the faulty border fencing being carried out came to light.

So, why the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh led Congress Government has taken so long to wake up?

Of course, after the debacle created by the high-powered committee led by Principal Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu during the inspection of the disputed border areas some time earlier, the Government of Manipur had announced its decision of deputing a Ministerial team to find out the truth of the matter.

But that proposal could not see the light of the day after the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India reportedly wrote to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh discouraging him against sending of the Ministerial team as frequent inspection of the border areas where the fencing has been erected after a mutual understanding would aggravate the bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries.

The people of Manipur and more particularly, their elected representatives, who otherwise should be more active on the issue without even the need for prodding, should understand the underlining meaning behind the instruction of the Ministry.

It should be crystal clear to all on where the footing of Government of India is on the border dispute with Myanmar with which Manipur shares 398-km long boundary.

The present row is over the fencing erected at Moreh in Chandel district only. There are similar unresolved disputed border sites with the neighbouring country still very much alive in Ukhrul and Churachandpur district.

So, the call for 'unity and solidarity' among the political parties should remain intact until resolution of the whole issue.

After all, instead of getting consolation from 'better late than never', it is always better to be never late.