CPI raises concern in RS over Myanmar troops setting camp at Manipur border
At least 15 villages will be left out of India : CPI
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India

New Delhi, August 30 2013 : Concern was raised in the Rajya Sabha over reported intrusion by Myanmar troops with a Communist Party of India (CPI) member warning that India could lose considerable territory if strong steps are not taken to check such attempts.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, D Raja (CPI) said Myanmar troops have attempted to construct base camps in Indian side and fencing along the border in Manipur where there is no demarcation of boundary between the two countries which was a serious 'national security' issue.

"The entire state (Manipur) is in tension as base camps have been set up (by Myanmar troops) about 100 metres inwards from the national boundary which means a big territory loss to India," Raja said.

Urging the government to initiate tough measures to check such attempts, Raja said, "At least 15 villages will be forced to be left out of India" .

A fence that has come up along the border area

He said the idea of fencing was to check smuggling of drugs and prevent cross-border terrorism but the Myanmar army is constructing base camps.

Raising another issue, Najma Heptulla (BJP) drew the attention of the government including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who was in the House, towards shortage of milk impacting the health of the children in the country especially in the wake killing of bovine animals for export of meat.

"India has left behind nations like Australia and New Zealand in beef export, which is mostly made from UP causing a problems in children as they are not getting milk as even milch animals are slaughtered," Heptulla said.

This was strongly objected by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajeev Shukla who said India did not export "beef", on which Heptulla corrected it saying it was buffalo meat.

Raising the issue of change in menu of Indian railways and inclusion of fast food, Prasanta Chatterjee (CPI-M) demanded that a recent notification to the effect should be recalled.

"25 million people, majority of them poor, travel daily by trains but the traditional food like 'poori-sabzi' is being replaced with 'pizza and burger' by IRCTC officials in nexus with others," he said.

Chatterjee demanded that previous system be restored where supply of rice etc was done by railways.

T N Seema (CPI-M) drew the attention of the House towards death of tribal kids in villages of Kerala due to a number of factors including malnutrition.

She said a particular tribe was on the verge of extinction and demanded that government should ensure that benefits of MNREGA reached there.

Mohammed Adeeb (Ind) demanded that Persian and Arabi be again included in UPSC list.

He said both the languages were taught in as many as 22 universities and had contributed significantly to the cultural heritage of India.