Imphal, March 25 2010: In connection with the arrest of four villagers of an Ukhrul district area by Myanmar police recently, a meeting of liaison officials of India and Myanmar was held at Namphalong Bazar today.

The four persons, including a college lecturer, currently in the custody of Myanmar police are from Skipe village, which is close to the international boundary.

Superintendent of Police of Chandel district, K Radhashyam, who is also the border liaison officer of Manipur sector represented the State while Myanmar was represented by commanding officer (Tamu) Lt Col Aung Myat Moe.

An informed source conveyed that SP (Chandel) K Radhashyam presented a detailed account regarding circumstances leading to the arrest of four.

Radhashyam prevailed upon his counterpart that villagers living close to the porous international boundary do not understand the exact demarcation point between the two neighbouring countries and thus intrusion due to naivety cannot be ruled out.

Moreover, the SP in addition to informing the Myanmar official of the four arrested villagers being innocent civilians also conveyed that they inadvertently crossed over to the other side during their search for building materials (timber) to construct a Church.

Regardless of the SP's explanation, the Myanmar representative is said to have claimed that the four Skipe villagers were apprehended along with eight Myanmar nationals while trying to smuggle teak timbers about a kilometre from Border Pillar No.59, toward the Myanmar side.

Pointing out that teak tree is a national treasure of Myanmar and smuggling of the same considered as a very serious crime, the Tamu SP reportedly told his counterpart that under Myanmar's Forest Act an FIR case on the matter has been registered.

On his part Radhashyam reminded the Tamu SP of a mutual understanding reached in the March 4 and 5 meeting of border liaison officials wherein it was agreed to resolve local/minor issues between the liaison officers.

Persisting for the release of the four Ukhrul villagers, he also said that in order to strengthen cordial relationships between the two neighbouring countries the detained persons be released.

As a reciprocation to Radhashyam's proposal on the four's release, Lt Col Aung Moe reportedly assured to hold an emergency meeting along with the Tamu Chairman and Judicial officer on the matter and that decision of the meeting would be intimated to Moreh police at the earliest.

The Tamu SP also hinted on favourable consideration to facilitate release of the four persons.

Comment