Centre trying to 'cede more land' to Myanmar
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 09 2015 : Apunba Lup, an apex body of 32 organisations, on Thursday announced that it was all prepared to launch a sustained agitation soon over the Centre's purported plan to cede more land of Manipur to the Myanmar for construction of the Integrated Check Post Gate Number-I in Manipur section of the Indo-Myanmar border.

Angered by the reported decision of the Centre, Apunba Lup accused Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) Chief, RN Ravi of planning to exchange a large chunk of land from the Manipur sector of the international border with the neighbouring Myanmar after Myanmar's contention that the site, where the Integrated Check Post is to be developed, belongs to it.

A press meet was held at the Apunba Lup office here at Keishamthong during which leaders of All Manipur Social Reformation & Development Samaj, Tami-Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup, ICHAL and AMKIL were present.

Protest by people from the Myanmar side has been the sticking point to the projected Integrated Check Post as they claim the land area belongs to them, said All Manipur Social Reformation & Development Samaj President Ramani.

"We cannot accept former Intelligence Bureau's Special Director RN Ravi's plan to cede the land," she vowed.

She said, "We'll not allow losing an 'inch of land' to Myanmar." And she cited the bloody episode of June 18 Uprising sparked over the territorial integrity of Manipur.

In a strong message to both the State and Central Government Ramani cautioned the two Governments that the people would never choose to remain silent over the issue.

She said the people are still socked over Manipur's Kabow Valley which was given away to Burma (Myanmar) by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

AMKIL President Sakhi warned that politicization of boundary issue should be immediately stopped, declaring that the womenfolk of the State are never tired of sacrificing life for the cause of Manipur and its people.

She appealed to the people to remain alert over the newly emerged boundary issue.

Tami Chingmi Apunba Nupi Lup President Momon criticized the Government of India as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making false promises over and over again to safeguard the territorial integrity of the State.

She also alleged that the Government of India is never tired of inciting hatred among different ethnic communities of Manipur.

Momon vowed, "The people will protect their own land.

We do not need to wait the Government to act because we must defend our territory with own efforts only" .

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