Border issue generating More heat
Committee formed to protect border areas, memo submitted to Manipur CM
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, August 02 2013 : Even as various political parties in the State are stepping up their protest against possible loss of a large chunk of territory of Manipur to Myanmar on account of the ongoing border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar International boundary in Chandel district, a committee under the name of 'Committee on Protection of Land in Border Fencing (CPLBF) was formed by several social organizations after convening a meeting at the office of Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM) at Sangakpam here today.

The meeting was attended by members of Rural People's Development Federation (RPDF), Pallel; Kuki Students' Organization (KSO), Moreh Block; Eastern Maring Organization (EMO); Chandel Kuki Chiefs' Association, Moreh Block; Zingsho Katamlong (ZKL) and Raphei Katamnao Long (RKL) and various village chiefs.

During the meeting, an 11-member committee comprises six office-bearers and five members with D Rouwaithang as general secretary, AS Rangam as joint secretary, CH Leithil as publicity secretary and Thotkhongam Mate as treasurer were also elected.

Moreover, Brojendra Ningomba, spokesperson of ICHAM, was also elected convenor of the Committee while Kaphungyui Asare, chief of Charo village, Ukhrul and Letngam Lupho, vice president of Kuki Chief Association, Moreh Block as co-convenors.

The latest development has come after as many as 14 villages of Chandel district have been reportedly lost in the current Indo-Myanmar fencing process.

It is also imminent that another 20 villages in Ukhrul district of the state would be lost to Myanmar.

Announcing the formation of the committee in a press conference after the meeting, Brozendra Ningomba said that the recent inspection tour on border fencing led by ICHAM would be written clearly in the annals of Manipur.

Different social organizations have now come together to protect the border areas of the State.

The findings of the recent inspection team could give clear information about border areas to the public.

The political parties have also started to raise voice against the border fencing, Brozendra maintained.

He said that the Committee has been formed with firm objective of protecting the territorial integrity of the State and it will work hard to safeguard the border land of Manipur in cooperation with the villagers in the border areas of Chandel and Ukhrul districts to be displaced by the Indo-Myanmar border fencing.

Co-Covenor Letngam Lupho pointed out that the ongoing Indo-Myanmar border fencing has divided the villages lying in border areas of the State.

Large area of the villages has already been lost to Myanmar.

The agricultural land and even Churches owned by the villagers have been lost as a result of the border fencing, he lamented.

The people of these villagers are having doubts whether they are Indian citizens or not, Lupho asserted.

Kaphngyui Asare maintained that many villages in Ukhrul district would also be affected by the border fencing.

The authorities have recently issued notice about border fencing to the villagers.

The Indian Government should not carry on the border fencing against the wishes of the people, he averred.

It may be mentioned that the border-fencing affected villages in Chandel district include Satang, Choktong, Waksu, Lamlong Khunou, Saibol, Moirangthel, Govajang, B Bongjang, Yangnoi, L Molphai, N Gamnom, Rilram Centre, Leibi and Kwatha Khunou.

On the other hand, Wanglee, K Ashang Khullen, Bunbun, Z Choro, Skipe, Kangpat Khunou, Phaikom.

Molvailup, Phaimol, Chahong Khunou, Chatric, Kashung, Kachou Phung, Haiyang, Kampal, Khayang, Khamasom, Poi, North Tusom and Wahong in Ukhrul district are also likely to be lost from the border fencing.

Meanwhile, the newly formed committee has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Okram Ibobi urging him to conduct the border fencing in a proper way without affecting the State's territory.

In the memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the Committee strongly urged the State Government to stop the ongoing border fencing works until the traditional boundary between India and Myanmar is clearly identified and demarcated.

It also demanded the Government to include members of the Committee while conducting surveys along Indo-Myanmar border.

"The State Government should intervene and stop the process for luring the village chiefs with peanuts of compensation at the cost of Manipur's land.

Joint survey and demarcation of the traditional boundary of Manipur and Myanmar, based on historical documents should be conducted by both India (including state Government's civil officials concerned) and Myanmarese authorities", it demanded.

If the State Government of Manipur does not intervene immediately, it would amount to opening of Pandora's Box on the vexed border issue, it warned.

It is said that the Committee would further send memorandums to the President, Prime Minister and Home Minister after looking into the stance of State Government on this issue.

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