Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah calls for proper demarcation of India-Myanmar border

At a time when there is a public outcry in Manipur over the faulty erection of a border pillar in Moreh sub division, Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah has expressed some

At a time when there is a public outcry in Manipur over the faulty erection of a border pillar in Moreh sub division, Manipur Governor Najma Heptullah has expressed some serious concerns as to whether the Assam Rifles Jawans at the Indo-Myanmar border are doing their jobs properly or not.

The Manipur Governor called for proper demarcation of the 398 km open India-Myanmar border to curb the inflow of drugs and arms into Indian territory.

Speaking on the sidelines of the NEC meet in Shillong, Heptullah said the porous border makes drugs and arms smuggling easy along the stretch thus making Manipur and the region as a whole vulnerable.

The Manipur governor went on to say that she has spoken to the External Affairs Minister on the issue and advocated that governments of both countries should work together to come up with a strategy to tackle the menace.

While the Centre claims that the border with Myanmar is well demarcated, Heptullah had other views. She added that anyone opposing the border fencing at the Indo-Myanmar border does not realize how the porous border is allowing rampant drugs and arms smuggling.

According to reports, Manipur, has become a safe haven for drugs smuggling and the long porous border the state shares with Myanmar makes the state that much more vulnerable.

Meanwhile, when asked about the controversy of the border pillar number 81, allegedly 3 kms inside Indian territory along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur, Heptullah ducked the question saying as a governor she would not like to comment on the issue.

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