MLA Ibomcha for an All-party meet on border row
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, September 22 2013: President of NCP, Manipur Pradesh, MLA L Ibomcha has appealed to the Chief Minister to convene an All Political Party Meeting over the present border fencing dispute which has reportedly resulted in losing a large chunk of land of Manipur to Myanmar.

Talking to media persons in this regard at his residence at Keishamthong here today, MLA L Ibomcha pointed out that much before the present border fencing dispute arises, he had brought up the issue on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly on July 15, 2002.At that time, Chief Minister O Ibobi had even informed the House that the border pillar number 101, 66, 78 and 79 along Indo-Myanmar border in Ukhrul, Chandel and Churachandpur have been missing.

But the reasons for missing of the border pillars were not known by the state government that time.

So, to ascertain the facts, a joint survey team comprising representatives from India and Myanmar had been reported conducted 11 years ago.

"Now, we are interested to know whether the reports of that joint survey team were submitted to the Union government," demanded MLA Ibomcha.

He also demanded to know as to what extent the state home department had pursued the matter to the Union Home Ministry.

If the State Government keeps on believing the lip services and excuses given by the Indian Government, the people of the State would be the ultimate sufferer at the end.

As such, a discussion among all the political parties of the State over the border issue would be the right approach at this point of time, MLA Ibomcha said.

He also suggested that advanced satellite imaging techniques with Global Positioning System (GPS) will be able to determine the exact border line.

Meanwhile, appealing to all the poitical parties and civil society organisations to shed their differences and come forward in addressing the border issue, MLA Ibomcha made it clear that no part of Manipur should be lost to Myanmar in the ongoing border fencing.

Furthermore, he expressed suspicion whether the Indian Government is following a Deceptive Appeasement Foreign Policy wherein parts of Manipur have been sacrificed in exchange of driving out UGs from the soil of Myanmar.

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