IMPHAL, March 4: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh today informed the Assembly that the government will consider erecting subsidiary pillars along the Indo-Myanmar border only after settling the alignment in the disputed areas between India and Myanmar.
The Chief Minister was responding to a calling attention moved by MLA Dr I Ibohalbi and MLA Kh Joykishan Singh, during the last day sitting of the full budget session (13th session) of the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
Claiming that the State government is steadfast on its decision that it will not allow any changes or rectification of the border, unless the disputed areas is settled; the Chief Minister proposed for a joint delegation to apprise the matter to the Prime Minister, Home Minister and other relevant authorities, about the intention of the people of Manipur.
“Let us jointly approach the Prime Minister or the Home Minister that we will not consider any changes along the border whatsoever, be it demarcation or subsidiary pillars, until a final settlement is brought with regards to the disputed area”, said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister pointed out that there are altogether 99 border pillars along the Indo-Myanmar border of which 90 border pillars are undisputed while 9 are currently unsettled.
The 9 pillars are not encroached upon by Myanmar but the Government of India has given up to Mynamar Government, he continued.
He said that of the total border pillars, pillar number 32 to 48 are in Churachandpur district, 49 to 89 pillars in Chandel district while 90 to 130 are in Ukhrul district.
Among these border pillars, number 66 (disputed) is in Tuiveng area, 76 in Holenphai of Moreh, border number 78 in Tamil Sangam Temple area of Moreh while pillar 89 is the bank of Taret River (border of Chandel and Ukhrul) and 90 to 94 stretch 35 km in Ukhrul.
The Chief Minister said that during meetings with the Surveyor General of India and External Affairs Ministry officials held last year, he had himself made it clear that there should be no attempt to alter the border.
The meetings were held in the month of January and July last year, he said.
Moving the motion, Dr Ibobhalbi Singh, drew the attention of the House that the Indo-Myanmar fencing work was halted after the intervention of all political parties, following reports of incursion by Myanmar.
Unfortunately in the wake of the understanding, on December 20, 2015 a survey team of India came to the Satang Village and Kwatha Khunou, for subsidiary border erection, said the MLA based on media reports.
He pointed out that as per the news report 11 villages of Manipur comprising of 481 household with a total population of 4,014 individuals will be on the side of Myanmar if the existing work is allowed adding that a total of over 22 thousand sq/km will be lost.
Subsequent to this, Dr Ibohalbi sought clarification from the concerned minister on measure taken up by the Government of India and Manipur Government to counter the continuous onslaught of incursion from Myanmar side.
He informed the House that regardless of what the governments of India and Manipur have in mind with regards to the protecting the boundary of the State, the opposition is ready to sacrifice to safeguard their (Manipur) land.
Participating in the motion, Kh Joykishan Singh stated that, the unfolding episode was a grim reminder of the handing over of Kabo valley to Myanmar.