Manipur PCC accused BJP government for parting land to Mynamar

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, July 1, 2018: Manipur PCC has accuses the BJP led governments both the state and the central government of parting with Indian land and urged to immediately clarify to the people on “why they allow Myanmar to expand its territory at the cost of Manipur’s land”.

MPCC spokesperson, MLA Khumukcham Joykishan asked why the BJP led government has given away Manipur’s land to Myanmar.

The Union minister of state Kiren Rjiju has confessed that the land has been given to Myanmar by saying that “there is no border dispute between India and Myanmar”, said Joykishan.

Rijiju was in Imphal for two days to review security situation in Manipur.

Rijiju’s statement is a confession that the border pillar was shifted by Myanmar with the consent of BJP led government of India, alleged the congress spokesperson. The state government has also endorsed to the development. What more evidence is needed, Joykishan said.

The border issue came to light when Tengnoupal DC Tombikanta inspected the spot where border pillar number 81 was newly erected on June 22 along with state police and an official of the Survey of India.

A team of Manipur PCC on Friday visited the controversial border site.

“We have found out that the border pillar has shifted inside the Indian Territory when a team of MPCC including six MLAs visited Kwatha Khunou village. The villagers at the border know which portions at the border belong to Myanmar or India.”

The Central government must be worried of China getting close to Myanmar which would pose threat to India. It would be right to say that Manipur’s land has been sacrificed to please Myanmar, said Joykishan.

“Why the BJP led governments in the state and at the centre remain silent to this issue,” he asked.

According to Tombikanta the border pillar number 81 is erected at least three kilometres from the place it was erected earlier and this cannot be accepted as many areas of Manipur have now fallen under Myanmar territory and include a worship place for Kwatha Khunou villagers. This sacred site was earlier inside Manipur territory till 2001 but now Myanmar claimed it to be their territory with inscription in Myanmarese language at the site.

Tombikanta had said, “The Central government officials instructed me to put signature on papers regarding Border Pillars but I declined to sign without exactly identifying locations of BPs.” He said that he will not sign unless the exact locations of all border pillars are identified. Border pillar number 81 will remain invalid unless it is erected at its original position, added the deputy commissioner.

 All Party Committee headed by minister Karam Shyam was formed and scheduled to visit the controversial border site. Why was it withdrawn? It was because all the political parties will come to know of the ground reality, said Joykishan.

The villagers at the border told us that the pillar was erected by the Myanmar security force using labourers, said Joykishan.

MPCC cautioned that it will launch agitations with the people if the governments fail to clarify.