IMPHAL, June 28 MNS NNN: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today admitted some boundary pillars on the Indo-Myanmar border have been misplaced due to being weathered.
Naoria Pakhanglakpa constituency MLA RK Anand from the ruling Congress party moved a calling attention motion in the House when he expressed prudence about the looming
lose of more boundary area in the Chandel district’s commercial hub Moreh that borders Myanmar.
He said the Government needs action with serious introspection to defend the border of Manipur as its boundary area has reportedly been shrunk adding it is not good news.
The construction of integrated check-post at Moreh has come to a halt with the Government of Myanmar telling the India side to stop it by claiming it as a disputed site, Anand said.
He said a risk persists now after Moreh Gate-1and 2 are being located inside the neighbouring country’s area and what’s more there is quite possibility that The Tamil Sangam Temple in the town will be added further into the border of the neighboring country in near future.
Anand said that it is never a right move of the Government to sit idle when the crucial issue of boundary comes up and it should also reveal its policy to address the issue in the interest of the public.
Responding to it, Ibobi admitted that some boundary pillars erected along Indo-Myanmar border have been found missing, saying it must have been due to being seasoned.
He said India and Myanmar has started establishing cordial relations after the Look East Policy.
The countries now are to conduct survey at Boundary Pillar-9 and the remaining are pillars 76, 91, 92 and 94, the Chief Minister informed the House.
The loss of pillars on the border must have been due to being seasoned, he said, adding the boundary dispute between the two countries is caused by pending demarcation on the border area.
The two countries have already conducted joint survey on the border thrice, Ibobi informed clarifying that the question of infringement of the Tamil Sangam Temple does not arise in the border dispute.
Ibobi further clarified that Mynamar has never asked the Indian side to stop the pillar construction works being taken up along the border but it has instead asked for a proper demarcation of the location to continue the works.
The Government is expecting an early settlement of the border dispute, Ibobi assured while affirming that there is no question of compromising the state’s boundary.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today said efforts are on to open a passport office.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/early-solution-expected-over-land-dispute-in-border-areas-cm/
