IMPHAL, August 16: The Chief Minister while highlighting the developmental programs and Indo –Myanmar relations clarified on a border area dispute report carried in a local daily.
The report was regarding the border pillars at the international boundary and that Manipur is losing land to the Myanmar side.
Terming the report as a malicious one, he stated that the public has a right to their opinion, which is generated in the interest of the State. The border fencing is being monitored by the government and there is no dispute at present, “We have the problem of nine unsettled border pillars but will be completed post a survey and no settlement was done in this issue,” he said.
He stated that every construction along the Line of Control (LOC) was done with adherence to international norms.
“There is a no construction zone (zero zone) which stretches from 10 to 50 metres on either side of the border line. There has been construction of a straw hut by Gobajang villagers on the zero zone and another 2 huts were constructed at the Myanmar side of the zone, but this is not a problem and the boundary is secure.
He added that the Tamil Sangam temple falls under the no construction zone but the State is negotiating in the regard and a cabinet decision has been taken to appoint a high powered committee comprising of top officials of the Home department to deal in the regard,” he said.
The CM assured that the present border survey is carried out by officials from the Union, but also closely monitored by the State government and no land of Manipur has been given to Myanmar.