Manipur Governor Ashwani Kumar will visit Moreh on Tuesday by a
helicopter to make an on the spot assessment of the controversies
arising out of the reports that Myanmar Army is trying to usurp
Manipur's territory. This is in the backdrop of the concern expressed by
the Union Government following news reports on the land-grabbing
attempts by the Myanmar Army and the stand off between officials of the
two countries. The Governor is expected to send a report soon after his
return to Imphal the same day.
Meanwhile an official team visited the affected areas at Moreh on
Monday. The team was led by Suresh Babu, the Principal Secretary (Home).
Soon after his return to Imphal Mr. Babu submitted a report to the
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who is facing attacks from many sides
for his alleged inaction in this regard. Mr. Singh discussed the issue
with senior ministers and it is likely that he will convene a Cabinet
meeting by Tuesday morning before sending a report to the Union
Government.
Other members of the team were Brig. Ranjit Mangkotia of 26 Assam
Rifles, Chandel district Collector Chittaranjan, Addtional Collector
Robert Khetrimayum and other police and security force officials. The
team visited two tribal villages including Hollenphai, where the Indian
and Myanmarese officials had a heated exchange recently. Reports said
that the Myanmar Army is planning to construct an Army base camp in the
tribal village Hollenphai which has been in Manipur for generations. The
Myanmar Army maintains that as per maps maintained by the British the
village is well within Myanmar. The village is just 3 km away from the
Moreh police station.
The team also visited the second largest temple in north-eastern India
located at Prem Nagar in Moreh. It was constructed by the Tamil
businessmen through Tamil Sangam Moreh. It is hardly 100 metres from the
Moreh police station. According to the calculation of the Myanmar Army
the compound and temple are within their country.
However, the Myanmar Army is claiming the village only now. Government
sources said that some boundary pillars were mysteriously missing, only
to reappear later deep inside India's territory. Political parties and
several NGOs have demanded suspension of the erection works of the
border fence. It is established that if the fence is to be erected at
the disputed land at least 14 villages in Manipur will be affected. In
case of Choro village in Ukhrul district this entire village will go to
Myanmar. Tribal villages will be bifurcated and located beyond the
border fence and family members and relatives will be in two different
countries. Political parties and activists say that soon after
independence India gifted away Kavo valley which is much larger than
Manipur to Myanmar.
