Indian and Myanmarese authorities need to sit together to resolve border issue: Dr Suresh Babu
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Moreh, August 26 2013: The Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing Committee (IMBFC), a high-powered committee set up by the State Government with Principal Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu as Chairman, today inspected the border fencing being carried out along Indo-Myanmar International boundary to clear the air over confusion regarding reportedly loss of large tract of land of Manipur to Myanmar in the ongoing border fencing process.

The team, which landed at the border town today morning, first went to inspect disputed border areas starting from Muslim Basti to Govajang village where border pillar no.79 is located.

The team also met the village Chiefs and discussed the problems being faced by the villagers.

Later, the team went to Haolenphai village and inspected border pillar no.23 which has been reportedly installed by Myanmarese authority.

There, the team witnessed the materials brought in by Myanmarese Army for construction of their base camp.

Govt-appointed Committee members inspecting the disputed border areas

The visiting team also inspected border pillar no.21, which is actually border pillar no.78 but the Myanmarese authority has written over it as border pillar no.21.This is the site where Temple of Tamil Sangam is also located.

Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of the inspection, Dr J Suresh Babu informed that the high-powered committee has come for the inspecting the border fencing as directed by the State Government.

He stated that the exact location of nine border pillars along Indo-Myanmar boundary is still unclear.

As such, the State Government has urged the Ministry of External Affairs to look into the matter and bring it to the notice of Myanmarese authority for conducting a joint survey so as to bring about an amicable solution.

Informing that the Committee would be submitting its inspection report to the State Government, Dr J Suresh Babu noted that both sides, Indian and Myanmarese authorities, need to sit together to discuss the border issue.

"India or Myanmar alone cannot bring about a solution to the present border dispute", he added.

He further informed that the team also visited the Govajang village which lies between border pillar number 79 and 80 and inspected the areas of the village which might be lost to Myanmar as a result of the border fencing.

"There is a misconception among the general public about the ongoing fencing activities at the border.

It is not border fencing but security fencing which is being carried out to control cross border terrorism", the Principal Secretary maintained, adding that according to international norms border pillar fencing is to be carried out at a distance of 10 metres from the border pillar.

There are 18 officially approved gates constructed along border pillar 79 to 81 where border fencing has been erected.

The villagers can pass through these gates and carry out farming or their normal day to day activities, he explained.

He also admitted that there is still border dispute along border pillar no.76 in Haolenphai and border pillar no.78 in Moreh town.

The Indian authority has obstructed the Myanmarese Army from their attempt to construct a post at Haolenphai.

The obstruction will remain until an understanding has been brought between the authorities of the two neighbouring countries, he said.

Replying to a query, Dr J Suresh Babu said that the State Government will carry out its work considering the sentiments of the people.

The territorial integrity of the State will never be compromised at any point of time.

All disputes would be amicably resolved through proper discussion.

The Indian Foreign Secretary had also expressed his desire to solve all issues at the earliest and also to form a Joint Committee in the regard.

Furthermore, the officer observed that the present border pillar no.21 and 23 might be the old border pillars erected by the Burmese.

The new numbering on the border pillar no.23 could be border pillar no.76 and that of border pillar no.21 could be border pillar number 78 .

The India's side might be feeling that Myanmar is encroaching upon Indian Territory and vice versa.

But in reality, India considers it as an alignment.

The matter could be settled at the level of the DCs concerned of the two nighbouring countries, he added.

Brigadier Rajiv Mankotia, DIG, 26 AR; Anadi Atriya, CO, 9AR; Chittaranjan, DC of Chandel; Robert Kshetriyum, ADC, Moreh; E Priyokumar, SP, Chandel and other top officials were also part of the inspection team.

Brozendra Ningomba, Convener of Committee on Protection of land in Border Fencing, Manipur and N Rajendro, President of ICHAM were also present during the inspection today.