IMPHAL, August 2: Concerned with the Indo-Myanmar border fencing process which has reportedly left a large portion of Manipur on the Myanmar side of the fence, a body “Committee on Protection of Land in Border Fencing” was formed today around 2pm.
The committee had also submitted a memorandum to the state Chief Minister on the border issue today.
The formation of the committee was announced by Brojendro Ningomba, spokesperson of the Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (Icham) during a press meet held at the residence of the centre’s president.
He said the memorandum has demanded that the state government should intervene and stop luring the village chiefs with compensation at the cost of Manipur’s land.
It has also demanded for a joint survey and demarcation of the traditional boundary of Manipur and Myanmar based on historical documents by both Indian and Myanmarese authorities.
Construction of the fence should be halted until clear identification and demarcation and the representatives of the committee be included in the survey, it further demanded.
Speaking to media persons, he said that the committee has already inspected the border village and the government needs to be review the border fencing at the earliest.
He said the villages affected by the border fencing in Chandel district alone are Satang, Choktong, Waksu, Lamlong Khunou, Saibol, Moirengthel, Govajang, B.Bongjang, Yangnoi, L.Molphai, N.Gamnom, Rilram centre, Leibi, Kwatha Khonou. And villages affected of Ukhrul District are: Wanglee, K.Ashang Khullen, Bunbun, Z.Choro, Skipe, Kangpat Khunou, Phaikoh, Molvailup, Phaimol, Chahong Khunou, Chatrik, Kashung, Kachou Phung, Haiyang, Kampal, Khayang, Khamasom, Poi, North Tusom, Wahong.
He said that the traditional boundary should be respected and fencing should be erected properly.
He said more than half of most villages have been affected and as such, the villagers and the people are unable to even eat or sleep under the pressure and stress of leaving their lands due to the border fencing.
The most affected areas are in Chandel and Ukhrul districts, he said while adding that in Govajang village, Chandel district, the RCC and barbwire fence is being constructed more than 300 to 400 metres from the perceived international boundary.
The village itself is being split right in the middle by the fence with many houses being left on the other side, he said and added that likewise many villages in Chandel and Ukhrul districts which have been established since ages along the border areas of Manipur will be displaced by the fence.
The Assam Rifles (AR) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are constructing the fence, he said.
The village chiefs/headmans and the villagers were never informed nor notified in advance of the proposed construction of the fence by the authorities concerned and no one among the villagers has even seen any personnel of the BRO or AR or civil official conducting survey for the fence, he said.
The officer bearers of the newly formed committee are Brojendro Ningomba as convenor; Kaphungyui Acare,headman, Choro village, Ukhrul and Letngam Lupho, VP Kuki Chief’s Association, Moreh as the co-convenor; D Rouwaithang, Rural people development federation, pallel as general secy, A S Rangam, Chinsho Katamnaolong, Ukhrul as information secy; Chleithil, secy Eastern Maring Organisation as publicity and information secy; Thokkhongam Mate, president KSO-Moreh block as treasurer; Changphang Ningsen; T K Angdeng and Kaprngsing as members of the committee.