United Committee Manipur (UCM) has given a final shape to the mass movement against the contentious construction of the border fence along Manipur since it will result in the loss of a large chunk of Manipur's territory. Disclosing this to reporters Chandramani Khumancha, vice president of the UCM said that although the people have taken umbrage at the construction of fence deep inside Manipur's territory the personnel of Border Roads Organisation are still continuing the construction works. NGOs and activists have been demanding suspension of the construction works till a final agreement is reached.
Khumancha said that the UCM came into being after the mass upheaval on June 18, 2001 for the protection of the territory of Manipur. It will join hands with other like minded NGOs, civil society organisations and activists to launch the mass campaign for the protection of the territory of Manipur.
Meanwhile the non-Congress political parties will take out a silent rally in and around Imphal on Monday to highlight the territorial threat along border following the construction of the border fence.
The political parties are demanding lifting of the prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC in many parts of Imphal. Some opposition members fear that the district administration had imposed the orders to torpedo the opposition rally.
A team of Communist Party of India, which visited the border areas, found that the Myanmar’s army had constructed a makeshift wooden fence at Hollenphai village of Manipur claiming it as land of Myanmar. The political parties are not happy with the inaction of the central and state governments on the issue.
