IMPHAL, May 5: Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur will support the Mao Students`™ Union`™s demand for the State government to conduct a transparent investigation into reports suggesting encroachment of the State`™s territory by a neighbouring State at Dzuko, ICHAM president N Rajendra said.
ICHAM supports the May 7 deadline set by the Mao Students`™ Union`™s for the State government to produce legitimate reports on the issue, Rajendra said.
He said the student body has warned of agitations if the government fails to meet the deadline.
Speaking at a press conference held today at the Manipur Press Club, Rajendra said the Manipur-Nagaland border conflict at Dzuko has been an issue since the past many years.
ICHAM had earlier conducted an inspection visit of the border area and found that the neighbouring State has constructed a circuit house and tourist huts inside the land of Manipur, he said.
The issue has also been raised in the State Assembly by Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar during which the leader of the House, the Chief Minister had assured to look into the matter seriously, he continued.
In 2008, ICHAM had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister seeking the State government to safeguard the territorial boundary of the State, which was not properly addressed by the State government, he added.
He continued that ICHAM will take a media team to inspect at least 7 km of land allegedly encroached upon by Nagaland soon.
He further called upon all civil society organisations of the State and the general public for co-operation on the issue.
ICHAM publicity secretary Ambition Anth said that the beauty of Manipur is in the integrity of the different communities residing in the State.
The 7 km land encroachment by Nagaland is very unfortunate, he said urging the political leaders to think beyond vote bank politics and start acting like true leaders.
He further urged the State government for timely intervention.