International border security fencing near border pillar number 81, which was abandoned by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) on August last due to border dispute issue, was found to be constructed 1 kilometre within the Indian territory.
A team of UCM, along with media personnel, visited the border pillar number 81 near Kwatha Khunou on Tuesday. During the visit the abandoned international security border fencing was found to have been resumed by the Border Road Task Force under the supervision of the Union Home Department.
UCM president Joychandra Konthoujam said the people of Manipur will never compromise on the territorial boundary of Manipur while the central government tries to bring friendship with Myanmar and to fulfil Act East Policy.
People of the state also wanted to bring friendship with Myanmar however, the construction work should resume after the border dispute is solved. Construction work of security fencing must be stopped and the central government must give priority on solving the border dispute immediately, he added.
The issue was also brought in front of Union Minister of State, Education and External Affairs, RK Ranjan earlier during which the MP assured that he will verify the border dispute issue before the fencing construction resume, he added.
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Joychandra said “As a man, RK Ranjan should fulfil his assurance instead of remaining silent”.
He cautioned that people of Manipur might demonstrate intensified protest more severe than the June 18 uprising, if construction work continues forcibly.
Joychandra questioned “Is the government of India going to change its map in order to bring friendship with Myanmar and to fulfil Act East Policy?”
He appealed to the chief minister of Manipur to look into the matter seriously as the territorial boundary is going to affect if the security boundary is constructed forcibly.
Joychandra appealed to the central government and state government to solve the border dispute before the fencing work resumes.
UCM general secretary Ng Deba Meeitei said that the government should declare sincerely that it is not able to secure the territorial boundary if the fencing work is going to resume forcibly under the supervision of the central government. People of Manipur are ready to secure the territorial boundary, he added.
Government should not tempt for agitation but should give priority on solving the border dispute issue, he cautioned.
