Trinamool MLAs harp on border fencing issue; condemn army for poor security along border

MOREH, September 8: The Indo-Myanmar border fencing work taken up in and around Moreh town in Chandel District should be stopped until an amicable solution is brought between India and Myanmar, according to Trinamool MLA Dr I Ibohanbi and leader of Opposition.

He was speaking at a press meet held at Moreh Trade Centre following an inspection visit made by a team of Trinamool Congress elected MLAs including Kunjo, Sarat, Shyamkumar, Bishwajit and Lukhoi.

The team had visited the fencing works at Govajang village which has been reportedly divided into two parts and at Haolenphai village, where construction of the Myanmar army near the disputed Border Pillar No 23 had already started.

Dr I Ibohanbi further said the present boundary line between India and Myanmar is not clear and large tracts of the state’s land have been ceded to the neighbouring country.

He demanded that the Survey General of India should take the responsibility for the demarcation of the boundary line.

Asserting that vast land of wild life sanctuary have been lost and damaged on account of the fencing works being carried out along the border, the MLA asked all concerned whether permissions from departments like forest, revenue, concerned DC or SDO were taken regarding the fencing construction works.

While demanding a white paper on the matter from the government, he said a memorandum will be submitted to the Government of India through Trinamool Congress MPs.

Saying that the remark made by Suresh Babu, Principal Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur that the present border fencing is security fencing not border fencing was unfortunate, Dr I Ibohanbi said the responsibility of the high power committee headed by Sureshbabu was just for a mere spot verification.

MLA Shyamkumar said the Indian Army posted along the border are not maintaining security along the border properly and pointed out that the army had maintained silence even when the Myanmarese army were constructing its base camp near the disputed Border Pillar No 23.

He continued that the Trinamool Congress party will initiate necessary steps to deploy State force instead of Indian Army at Moreh border.

During the visit, the team also interacted with concerned village chiefs and authority.