The Manipur cabinet on Monday decided to constitute a high level committee to examine the allegations that some villages of Manipur will be divided by the border fence now under construction along Manipur-Myanmar border. Disclosing this to journalists Okendro Moirangthem, the government spokesperson said that the government takes a serious view since it concerns the growing fear of possible loss of some areas of Manipur's territory.
He disclosed that the committee will be headed by the Principal Secretary (Home) and there will be Assam Rifles and Civil officials as members. Though no time frame has been set as yet, the spokesperson said that the Committee's report would be submitted shortly. The government will take up necessary steps after receipt of the report. In the wake of protests from many circles, the Manipur government had written a letter to the Union government highlighting people's fear that some of Manipur's territory may be lost. There has been no response from the Union government so far.
Kim Gangte, president of the Manipur unit of Trinamool Congress said that at least 14 tribal villages will be divided by the proposed border fence. One village in Ukhrul, Choro, will fall on the Myanmarese side once the erection of the fence is completed. The United Committee Manipur members visiting border areas along with journalists, demand suspension of the erection works of the border fence till the border dispute is sorted out. A number of opposition parties have also made similar demands.
The erection works of the 10 km border fence at Moreh, the border town of Manipur was suspended following complaints from Myanmar that its land had been encroached upon. Recently it was resumed. Though there is a public outcry the Border Roads Task Force is carrying on with the erection works of the border fence in other parts of the border.
