UCM demands halt to border fencing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 11, 2013: Saying that Myanmar authorities have been claiming Holenphai village as their territory apart from threatening people of the village to vacate the area, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) has demanded an immediate halt to the border fencing work along Manipur sector of Indo-Myanmar border.

A team of UCM members visited the border area between border pillar number 79 and 81. Talking to media persons about their spot assessment, UCM president Y Nabachandra said that Myanmar authorities have been regularly intruding into Holenphai village about 4 Kms from Moreh where border pillar number 76 stood.

Claiming that the area belongs to Myanmar, Myanmarese army have been threatening the villagers to go away.

They also warned that the village would be razed to ground using bull dozers if the villagers do not leave the area on their own volition.

The Myanmar army have erected a border pillar numbered 23 at the village.

If Myanmar takes over the village, an area of one Km in length and 300 metres in width would go to Myanmar.

Moreover, the border pillar erected at the village could no longer be located.

Taking serious note of the imminent loss of Manipur's territory on account of the border fencing, the UCM team paid a field visit to Govajang, Yangnoi, Kwatha Khunou, B Bongyang and L Molphei.

The team observed the ongoing border fencing work between Govajang and Yangnoi.

Already, a Church and a playground belonging Govajang have been left to Myanmar.

They further noted that L Molphei village located between Kabow Valley and Manipur would be completely left to Myanmar once the border fencing work is completed.

Nabachandra said that the border fence is being constructed 130 to 150 metres away from the international border on the Indian side.

The border fencing work is politically incorrect and it would only anguish the people of Manipur.

The border fencing work is being executed not for political reasons nor for territorial integrity but for security reasons.

Even as local villagers pointed out the exact borderline when Assam Rifles and BRO surveyed the Indo-Myanmar border for the border fencing work, Assam Rifles and BRO simply dismissed what the villagers said, Nabachandra alleged.

It appears that the Government of Manipur do not have full details of the border fencing work.

If any untoward incident breaks out because of the border fencing work, the Government of Manipur and New Delhi should bear all the responsibility.

The UCM further demanded that the border fencing should be put on hold until people's consent is obtained.

UCM would organise a seminar on the matter with academicians, civil society leaders and experts on border issues within the current month and UCM would ensure that whatever decisions adopted at the seminar are translated into action.

Expressing disapproval of the Union Home Ministry's clarification on the border fencing work, Nabachandra asked as to why border fence is being constructed from border pillar number 79 near Moreh Muslim Basti while it maintained that no border fence would be constructed in areas under dispute or controversy.

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