NPF takes CM Ibobi to task on border fencing
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, September 10 2013: The NPF Manipur State unit has demanded immediate halt to the construction of border fencing in Chandel district of Manipur, bordering Myanmar until such time the international boundary is clearly demarcated by competent authorities of the two neighbouring countries namely, India and Myanmar.

"It is matter of surprise that that so called construction of border fencing commenced immediately after the visit of a team led by O Ibobi, Chief Minister of Manipur to Myanmar," NPF, Manipur state communiqu� signed by its secretary Athuan Abonmai said.

According to NPF, in the visit, Ibobi had offered to construct a hospital if the Myanmarese authorities could provide land.

"Apart from that, sadly, what are the things transpired in the visit could not be for the benefit of the people.

But, what is clear is that he had donned the role of a Prime Minister or External Affairs Minister of a country as the visit showed and the construction of the border fencing discreetly," the NPF added.

The NPF then said that it was only after a report on the illegal border fencing by an organization called Information Centre for Hill Areas of Manipur (ICHAM) that the state Government was quick enough to claim that it was only for security purpose.

"The question here is, if it is for security purposes why did the state Government set up the border fencing committee? And why and how should the Chief Minister and his Deputy apprised the Prime Minister on this issue? It is all an eye wash and for how long the people have to be taken for granted by the Ibobi led Cong Govt.Now, the security fencing could not control the infiltration/ encroachment of the Myanmarese as the Myanmar army has constructed base camp at Haolenphai village inside Indian territory right under the nose of the Indian authorities," the NPF stated.

"When the people of Manipur particularly those at the border area are suffering due to loss of huge chunks of their land to Myanmar because of the border fencing, the state Government is claiming that it is only security fencing.

Can it afford to barter away thousands of hectares of land to Myanmar in the name of border fencing? The NPF takes serious view over the nonchalant attitude of the state Government towards the pathetic plight of the people," the NPF further said.

Notwithstanding the myriad ills already affecting the people of the state at large arising out of the total mismanagement of the Congress led Government in all fronts, it is even more unfortunate with regard to the latest issue of losing our territories along the international border due to the weak and corrupt policy of the state Government, it pointed out, adding., "At last, we wonder if New Delhi is aware of all these" .

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