Imphal, January 17 2009: Along with holding a meeting in connection with erecting fencing along Indo-Myanmar border on the side of Manipur for over a distance of 10 kms with Secretary of Border Management of the Union Home Ministry in the chair at New Delhi, Border Road Organisation (BRO) has been intimated to submit the estimation of the cost to be incurred in this regard in a month's time.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source informed that the meeting held yesterday with Secretary of Border Management Jarnail Singh in the chair was attended by officials of the Ministry of Forest and Environment, Assam Rifles, BRO and State Government.

During the meeting, BRO has also been entrusted to conduct a detailed survey on the proposal of erecting fencing over a distance of 10 kms from Border Pillar No.79 to 81 within 10 metres on the Indian side and submit a report to the Ministry within one month, the source said.

While informing that an official of team of BRO from New Delhi would be arriving at Imphal next week, the source further disclosed that Assam Rifles has also been appointed as the nodal agency of the proposed border fencing.

In order to facilitate the BRO to commence its task, the Assam Rifles has also filed an application to the Central Empower Committee of the Supreme Court for issuing the required environmental clearance, the source said, adding that the environmental clearance is likely to be given in a month's time.

As the border fencing is to be erected within the geographical area of Yangoupokpi Wild Life Sanctuary, the State Wild Life Board headed by the Chief Minister as its chairman had already given its Wild Life Clearance which has also been approved by the National Wild Life Board headed by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as the chairman, the source further conveyed.

It may be noted here that survey work taken up by the Government of India for erecting border fencing along the International border for over a distance of 10 kms had been suspended after the Myanmarese officials send a protest note to the move through the ADC office at Moreh.

Subsequently it was decided to erect the fencing within 10 metres on the Indian side of the border.

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