Indo-Myanmar BPs to be examined: Dr Ranjan to UCM

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Sep 19:  MoS for Education and External Affairs Dr RK Ranjan Singh has reportedly given an assurance to the United Committee  of Manipur (UCM) of assessing the Border  Pillars along the Indo-Myanmar border by a high level Central team next month (October).
Apprising the development during a press meet at Lamphelpat today, UCM president Joychandra Kon-thoujam stated that the committee submitted a memorandum to Dr RK Ranjan recently to end the border issue with the neighbouring country.
Saying that the assurance was given during a meeting with the MoS today,  the UCM president narrated that the disputed site will be inspected in the presence of all stakeholders by a team of Border Cell.
As per Dr Ranjan, the responsibility of taking up fencing works along the border areas lies with the Ministry of Home Affairs and a proposal has already been sent to the MHA to start  leisure fencing works and to widen roads in the border areas, he informed.
During the meeting, the UCM  urged the MoS to invite Myanmar authority for the inspection drive and to stop the ongoing fencing works in the border areas until then, Joychandra continued.
Maintaining that it is not clear whether the works being taken up by the BRTF is border or security fencing though the Chief Minister claims it to  be a security measure, he added that UCM is considering to submit a memorandum to the BRTF to know the truth.
UCM has been demanding to end the border uncertainty first before taking up any development projects in the border areas, Joychandra reiterated.
Further stating that the contentious Border Pillars are BP-79 to 88, he added that the UCM, apart from forming an experts committee, will accumulate nece- ssary documents in view of the proposed visit by the Central team.
The UCM president also expressed confidence that the MoS will deliver his assurances.