Ibobi bats for guarding Indo-Myanmar border; Backs BSF on border duty
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

New Delhi, April 16 2012: If India guards its frontier with Myanmar effectively, militancy in the Northeast will fade away, Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said here today.

Speaking at the Chief Ministers' conference on internal security here, Singh said his State endorses the Centre's proposal to deploy the BSF, replacing the Assam Rifles, to guard the 1,640-kilometre-long border which will help to ensure effective surveillance of this porous frontier.

"We have been consistently and repeatedly drawing attention of the Government of India to the dire need to effectively guard the India-Myanmar border.

We are happy to learn that the Ministry of Home Affairs has finalised a proposal to construct 4,585 kms of roads, 113 helipads and two helibases along the Indo-Myanmar border.

"I understand that the proposal is awaiting approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security.

We fully endorse MHA's proposal to deploy BSF as the dedicated border guarding force for the Indo-Myanmar border," Singh said.

The Chief Minister said that this initiative will ensure effective surveillance along the sensitive and porous border which today is "at the core of illegal arms and drugs smuggling and the unchecked trans-border movement of militants" who are a threat to internal security.

"...Allow me to reiterate that if we can guard this border effectively, militancy in the North East will fade away.

This is a core issue which Government of India must tackle with clear foresight and in a sustained manner," he said.

The Chief Minister also said that for an effective guarding of the border, "it is absolutely essential that the border is fenced and a network of roads developed on top most priority".

The Chief Minister also said the work at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh should be expedited as it could bring economic prosperity to this region.

"The department of border management's ICP at Moreh has the potential to become the much awaited economic driver for this remote and backward sector of the India-Myanmar border.

If work is expedited on the ICP, it will facilitate cross-border trade and open up a host of livelihood earning opportunities for national of both Indian and Myanmar.

"Given the progressive movement of Myanmar towards democracy, we need to grab this opportunity to actualise our Look East Policy," Ibobi Singh said.

The CM also requested the centre to consider supporting a National Highway Patrolling scheme during the 12th plan period on fast track basis as a viable long-term solution for securing vehicular convoys bringing essentials to the state.

"Besides road development, ensuring security of convoys carrying essential commodities along the two National Highways has been of deep concern to us in view of their vulnerability to disturbance from armed militants," he said.

Singh added that poor telecom connectivity along NH-53 is an "acute constraint faced by security forces" which affects coordination and effective security of convoys.

"BSNL must step in and bridge this gap on priority," he said.

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