Depute BSF to protect Manipur borders: MDA

Imphal: It is discrimination of right for a citizen of India as in Manipur after 75 years of India’s independence, there is no designated place established for people to express their voice like there are places in other states including at New Delhi, chairman of Manipur Democratic Alliance (MDA) Bijoy Koijam said on Saturday.

Talking to reporters here, Bijoy said India is a democratic country and every citizen are given to express under rights to freedom of speech and expression. It is necessary to establish a place for Manipur either in Imphal East or Imphal West that people can express their desire under the said fundamental rights of Indian constitution, he added.

Chief minister N. Biren Singh was also once a journalist and he is much aware of the ethics of being a journalist and hope he will take necessary steps to protect rights to freedom of speech and expression, Bijoy said.

Border pillar number 81 has been an issue for the past many years regarding fencing of border. Border Security Forces was established to protect the international borders and they are experts on dealing the issue on protection of international borders.

“To control the insurgency and other anti-social activities Assam Rifles or other security forces can be engaged at border areas but for protection of international borders only BSF need to be engaged,” he added.

He said raising voice or giving comments in Imphal will not be able to solve the fencing issue of border pillar number 81. To find out the actual issue, a team of MDA will take up spot verification.

MDA will support the necessary steps taken by the present government, he added.

For the coming state Assembly elections, MDA is planning to produce about 30 to 40 intending candidates. MDA will support the majority party to form the government for the next five years, he said.

He opined that if Imphal-Jiribam highway is upgraded to at least 6-lane road then the activity of extortion and highway looters could be reduced.

MDA convenor M Tombi said MDA will not compromise in territorial boundary of Manipur in any condition. MDA welcomed the government for taking initiatives for border fencing however, will press survey of India to continue the fencing after doing proper survey.

It is a good steps the government has taken the initiatives of border fencing. Being an international border various activities including smuggling of drugs, arms and ammunition are taking place. The fencing of border will be able to prevent such activities,Tombi said.

He appealed the state government not to involve politics in rights to freedom of speech and expression as it is the sole right for every citizen of India.

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