Row over alleged construction of boundary pillar along Myanmar border in Manipur

Political parties and civil society groups in Manipur have sought to ignore a denial by the Ministry of external Affairs and insisted today that up to 3 km of Indian

Political parties and civil society groups in Manipur have sought to ignore a denial by the Ministry of external Affairs and insisted today that up to 3 km of Indian territory in the state have gone to Myanmar following the erection of a boundary pillar without proper demarcation at a location near Kwa-tha Khu-nou village in Moreh subdivision.

After opposition Congress leaders visited the spot and corroborated the reports, state unit leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Shiv Sena visited the area where the concerned border pillar NO 81 has been erected.

Manipur SS president M Tombi Singh even hoisted the seven-colour Manipur flag at the location and demanded the Indian government to convene a meeting with the authorities in Myanmar to resolve the issue and erect the border pillar no 81 at the appropriate place before public anger spoils relations between the two countries.

The situation came to light when Tengnoupal deputy commissioner Abujam Tombikanta inspected the new border pillar 81, which was set up on June 22, and thereafter said it was erected “at least three km inside the Indian territory”.

However, the ministry of external affairs said the report was completely baseless and unsubstantiated. It said this sector of the international boundary is settled and there is no confusion as to its alignment.

On Saturday, however, state CM N Biren Singh had tried to allay fears saying land belonging to Manipur would not be parted with under any circumstances but cautioned that the issue was sensitive and cannot be tackled in a hasty manner.

A civil society team represented by the United Committee Manipur (UCM) met Biren Singh and said the state has lost significant territory because of the complacency of the Assam Rifles. The situation is tense in the area with the authorities clamping prohibitory orders at night.

Meanwhile, a Congress MLA Joy Kishen Singh who has been a part of the delegation that visited the spot where the disputed pillar lies made some shocking allegations that the BJP is aware of the entire incident.

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