Border pillar inspected, consent of villagers urged
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05 2015 : Prior consent of villagers of both Myanmar and India sides should be taken into account by the State Govt and the Centre while constructing border fencing along the porous Indo-Myanmar border, stated president of United Committee Manipur, E Johnson during a visit to border pillar no 9 on May 4 .

The border pillar is located at Wanglee village and Taret Lok area of Kasom Khullen subdivision of Ukhrul district.

The border pillar inspection visit was led by UCM along with All Manipur Students Union (AMSU), Border Area Development Association (BADA) and villagers of the area.

E Johnson stated that the fencing work of Indo-Myanmar border has been carried out to foster good relations and mutual understanding on both sides, but it should not act as a threat to the age-old relations of the people on both sides of the border.

Members of student organisations and civil societies at a border pillar

He added that the international boundary demarcation work which has been carried out by agencies of both the countries should take prior consent of the villagers settled in the border area and take up necessary step to avoid any conflict.

Considering the transportation bottleneck of the border area, Johnson asserted that there is apprehension about conflicts between Myanmar and India if there is no fixed demarcation and both sides can claim any area as theirs.

In such a situation, a flare-up is imminent any time.

Meanwhile, chairman of Kasung village, T Ngamshing stated that the border fencing could hinder trade activities of the neighbouring villages of Manipur and Myanmar.

"If the fencing is to be carried out, a main gate should be maintained so that the villagers can maintain relationship with villagers of Myanmar," he added.

On the other hand, village chiefs of Kasom Khullen subdivision are of the opinion that the border fencing would jeopardise the lives of hundreds of villagers.

M Athing, a village chief stated that the authorities concerned should consider the merits and demerits of the border fencing.

"If the fencing is aimed to divert the entry of insurgents in the State, they should also consider the lives of many villagers who are dependent on the other side of the fence," he added.

Village secretary of Wanglee, T Ramthar commented that the fencing work should be stopped as it would cut off trade ties with their Myanmar counterparts.

He added that it would not only widen the gap between the villagers of both neighbouring areas but the relation they once had would all be gone if the fencing work is completed.

Further, he said that the villagers would like to live in mutual understanding with no specific fixed boundary amongst them.