UCM asks Govt to safeguard state's borderland
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 09 2022: While stating that efforts being made by India and Myanmar to maintain a mutually-beneficial relationship under Act East Policy is highly appreciated, United Committee Manipur (UCM) president Joy Konthoujam has made it clear that the committee will not accept any threat to the land and resources of Manipur.

Following receipt of reports from the villagers of Kangpat Khullen, Nambisha and Skipe villages of Kamjong district that a big portion of the state's land is likely to be lost due to the border fencing; a team of UCM volunteers led by its president Joy Konthoujam embarked on a three-day visit to the location from March 6.The team, accompanied by the chiefs and authorities of the three villages, visited and inspected 11 border pillars including pillar nos 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, along with no 6, 7 and sub-pillar 102-1 and 102-3.Speaking in this regard, Joy conveyed that after the village chiefs and authorities wrote to UCM, the Committee visited the aforementioned locations.

During the visit, it was found that the paddy fields and the villages, which used to pay hill house tax, were at risk of being falling on the Myanmar side due to the border fencing work.

He continued: "For Kangpat Khullen, although border pillar no.95 had not changed from its previous location, pillars no.6 and 7 were found to have been newly erected in the Zollo Alloyo area of the village, thereby leading to the area, for which Hill House Tax are being paid, falling on the Myanmar side during the geo-tagging process.

As such, both the external affairs minister and the chief minister of Manipur must take a look into this matter and save the villages and the land from being taken over by Myanmar.

"Meanwhile, the pillars erected at Phaikok and Konkham Thana of Nambisha village and at Skipe village are not in conformity.

The installation of the subsidiary pillars by officials of both Indian and Myanmar governments amidst the issue of losing 3km of land, cannot be accepted in any form, considering the fact that the permission of the chiefs and villagers were not sought on the matter," he added.

Demanding both governments to withdraw such wilful activities, Joy contended that no part of.the 22,327 sq km of Manipur's land area can be broken/given away.

Manipur has all the requisite documents proving it was once an independent, sovereign kingdom in Southeast Asia including the Rangoon agreement which was signed after the state's merger to India.

As such, it is time for the government of India to take a step back and consider the pulse of the people of Manipur, regarding the former's apathetic attitude towards protection of Manipur's territory.

The UCM president then denounced the threats by Indian Army after the vil lages complained that the pillars were installed without their permission, leading to loss of the state's land.

Thus, he urged against repeating such acts in the future, while stating that it is the duty of the present generation to preserve the land left behind by the forefathers Inviting those residing along the border areas to inform UCM if there is any boundary issue, he exhorted all for preserving the existing territory and map of Manipur.

He also suggested that an official team should visit and verify the location of the border pillars at the earliest, as was promised to do so by the External Affairs Minister by October last year, while cautioning that any further delay in the matter could lead to clashes between the Manipur citizens residing along the border and the people of Myanmar.

"The traditional/historical boundary of Manipur should be preserved and uphold to prevent any such unwanted issues," he asserted.

UCM will continue to prevail upon the central and the state governments until the Committee's demand for resolution of Indo-Myanmar border issues including the preservation of the territorial integrity of Manipur, is fulfilled.

The state government should clarify its present status on the matter, while the central government should clarify on its status as well through the external affairs minister.

The people residing along the border area should also continue to make efforts to protect the borders of the state, just as the people of Mizoram had done by blocking the border fencing work after an international boundary issue cropped up, he said, and asserted that UCM is ready to launch intense agitations alongside the villagers if the above demands are not addressed.

On the other hand, Kangpat Khullen headman Joshuwa Chithung stated that border pillars no 6 and 7 were erected in Zollo Alloyo, Z Chore area, despite documents showing the area is part of the village.

Previously, the area was inhabited by Kuki tribe who used to pay Hill House Tax.

However, they fled the area after an ethnic clash, leaving behind their properties, he recounted Joshuwa further conveyed that a saw mill was brought into the area for development purposes.

However, it was taken away by the Myanmarese army who geo-tagged the area as part of Myanmar and prevented them from entering the area.

A report was made to the SDO and DC, who visited the location but did not take any action.

Thus, he urged authorities concerned to look into the matter, while handing over the documents showing the payment of House Hill tax and proving the ownership of the land wherein pillars no.6 and 7 were erected, to UCM president Joy Konthoujam.

Skipe village headman Zingshongam Kashu and Nambisha headman Simthar Kamothang also informed the UCM team of the land-lost to Myanmar due to the new border pillars.

In response, the UCM team assured of trying their level best to save the land area from being lost, while urg ing the people of the state to extend their cooperation in this regard.

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