IMPHAL, October 10: Amidst a growing concern and increasing apprehension regarding the apparent indifference of the State government on the much discussed and deliberated border fencing issue which has been the focal point of every political, social and local bodies for quite some time now, the State government today called an all political party meeting under the initiative of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh at his office chamber which commenced at 4 pm and lasted till 7 in the evening.
A press meet was held immediately after the meeting at the office of the Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam at old secretariat building where Dr I Ibohalbi of the Trinamool Congress and MLA RK Anand of the ruling party were also present.
Speaking to the media, Deputy CM Gaikhangam said that the Government, feeling the need to allay the fear and growing apprehensions of the people of the state despite numerous assurances from the Government as well as spot verifications and inspections carried out by the political parties and social organizations, convened the meeting to come up with a sustainable and acceptable solution to the issue.
A high level official committee chaired by Principal Secretary, Home Dr J Suresh Babu had already conducted a spot inquiry or the border accompanied by representatives of various social organizations. Adding that the border fencing activities are under the purview of the central Government, he reiterated that the State Government still needs to convey the fears and apprehensions of the people to the centre.
The representatives unanimously agreed on two important resolutions at the meeting- formation of an All Political Party Joint Inspection Team and formation of a Drafting Committee. The joint inspection team comprising 32 members and led by the Deputy CM will visit the disputed sites and conduct spot inspections on October 22.
The findings and recommendations of the team will be submitted to the Drafting Committee for drafting a memorandum which will be submitted to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, Ministry of External Affairs and the Surveyor General of India, which will be pursued further.
The All Political Party Joint Inspection Team will consist of the following members: Deputy CM Gaikhangam, MLA R.K. Anand and local MLA DK Korungthang of INC, Dr. R.K. Ranjan and Ashinikumar of BJP, N. Ajit Singh and S. Dilip of MPP, Santa Singh and Sarat Singh of CPI(M), Gyaneshor and Apanthoi of Forward Block, Dr. M. Nara and N. Mangi of CPI, Kumari Sangita and Kumari Kavita of BSP, Party President and MLA L. Ibomcha and Kapoor Singh of NCP, MLA K. Shyam and Thangkhangin Ngaite of Lok Janshakti Party, Manihar Goswami and Manichouba Sharma of JD(S), Party President Kim Gangte, Dr. I. Ibohalbi and RK Shivchandra of AITC, Party President M. Tombi and Hangkhanpao of JD(U), Ksh. Damu and S. Shamungou of Shiv Sena, MLA RK. Imo, Kh. Devabrata of MSCP, MLA Victor Nunglung and Athon Abonmei of NPF. The Drafting Committee includes MLA RK. Anand as Convenor, Dr. M. Nara (CPI), RK. Ranjan (BJP), Dr. I. Ibohalbi (AITC), Kh. Devabrata (MSCP), Ksh. Shanta (CPM), H. Nabashyam (MPP), M. Tombi (JDU), Thangkhangin Ngaite (LJ
P), Kh. Gyaneshor (FB) and S. Shamungou of Shiv Sena.
The Deputy CM further clarified that the images and boundaries being shown on Google, of which a majority of the objections and concerns are based on, is not an official or authorized body or entity, nor their reference recognized by the Government.
He also assured the people through the media that the matter will also be taken up by the Government with the officials of Google so that the accuracy or otherwise of their maps and images are distinctly and prominently displayed on their website to prevent similar misconceptions in future.