Border row: BJP, MPP shun all-party meet
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 08, 2013: In an attempt to soothe the people over reported loss of large territory of the State to Myanmar as a result of the ongoing border fencing, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi today chaired an all political parties� meet.

However, the representatives of BJP and MPP remained aloof from the meet.

Notably, BJP State President Thounaojam Chaoba had earlier announced to boycott the political parties� meet but there was no word from the side of MPP.

The meet resolved to press the Central Government to settle Indo-Myanmar border dispute by conducting a joint boundary survey, to include representatives from Manipur in the boundary survey, to stop border fencing until the exact location of Border Pillar No.9 is ascertained, and to rectify Google map that shows wrong international boundaries between India and Myanmar.

Talking to media persons in presence of representatives of other political parties today evening, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said that the allegations of BJP regarding border fencing were baseless.

The State Government has been striving to bring an amicable solution to the border issue in consultation with other political parties.

He further clarified that the clearance for border fencing was given by the State Wildlife Advisory Board in the greater interest of the State and country to prevent illegal drugs and arms trafficking.

The State Government is ready to rectify if there was any mistake, Ibobi averred.

The CM said that 90 percent of border fencing between Tripura and Bangladesh has been completed.

Likewise, State Government has also urged the Centre to complete the border fencing with Myanmar.

However, the border fencing could not proceed as it affects the Yangoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary.

The State Government has also intimated the Centre to take up extreme precaution to preserve the flora and fauna of the sanctuary along with tree plantation in the area, he added.

Further reacting to the BJP, Ibobi said that the BJP has adopted nasty politics to tarnish the State Government.

It has not received any compensation from the Centre for border fencing.

The allegations leveled against the Government by BJP are totally unfounded.

The BJP has levelled allegation against the Government over the contentious border issue through the media because the party fails to fully understand the matter.

The stance of the all-party over this issue is not yet flopped, but only the BJP has claimed it so.

A total amount of Rs 503.68 crore was sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs as a rehabilitation policy for the 10 hectares of land to be affected by the fencing, Ibobi said, adding this money has been reached the concerned implementing agencies and the state Government did not take a rupee from that amount.

He also stated that the Indian Government and Myanmar Government are responsible for the border fencing and so the State Government cannot act as the authority.

The State Government would never shy away from its responsibility when the joint boundary survey is conducted, Ibobi enjoined.

Further, Chief Minister clarified that the border fencing is being taken up by the Ministry of Home Affairs and there was no question of the drafting committee getting disintegrated.

The border fencing needs clearance from the Wildlife Advisory Board if it affects sanctuaries and national parks, he noted.

State Secretary of CPI Dr M Nara, ex-Minister N Mangi, JD (S) President Kullabidhu, JD (U) President M Tombi, MSCP President Y Mani, Trinamool MLA Dr I Ibohalbi, NPF leader Morung Makunga were present during the press briefing.

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