Yangon protest, border fencing put on hold
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 30: With the Myanmarese Government objecting to India Government's measures of erecting fencing over a distance of 10 kms inside Manipur sector of the Indo-Myanmar border to prevent drug trafficking, illegal crossing and check movement of militants, the Risky Survey Trace Cutting (RSTC) which was slated to begin from November 16 could not take off.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source informed that the Myanmarese Government has protested the move being made for conducting the requisite RSTC as announced by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta during his last visit to Imphal for erecting fencing over a distance of 10 kms along the border town of Moreh after leaving 10 metres from the zero line of the International border on India's side.

A border pillar on the Indo-Myanmar border to mark the boundary between the two neighbouring countries

A Myanmarese official deputed at Tamu and who is at par with ADC Moreh in rank had reportedly sent a protest note to ADC Moreh Hopeson Chothe stating that border fencing should not be carried out until the settlement of all matters related to border dispute between the two neighbouring countries, the source confided.

The protest note sent by the Myanmarese official demanded to know the exact spot of the zero point of the International border from where the Government of India is planning to measure 10 metres on the India's side for erecting the fencing, the source further disclosed.

Consequent to the protest note, ADC has brought the matter to the notice of the State Government which in turn has communicated the relevant details to the Union Home Ministry, the source said, adding that the Government of India has not given any response to the State Government in this regard.

However, there is the possibility taking up some diplomatic initiatives from the side of the Government of India with its Myanmarese counterpart to resolve the matter, the source said.

It may be noted that the State Government had earlier urged the External Affairs Ministry to hold diplomatic talks with the Myanmar Government to bring about a settlement to the border dispute.

Following the objection of the Myanmarese Government, officials of the Survey of India and BRO who are presently camping at Moreh in connection with carrying out RSTC have been not been able to take up any work.

The Government of India is to provide all the required fund for the proposed border fencing.