Congress demands settlement of border dispute with Myanmar

The Congress is against fencing the India-Myanmar border before a final settlement is brought about, former Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh said on Monday.

Village elders in Kwatha Khunnou have said that the border pillar No. 81 had been shifted within Manipur encroaching over three kilometres of land.

Tengnoupal District Collector A. Tombikanta also announced that he would never sign the official documents in this connection since a huge area of Manipur would be lost.

Singh, who is Leader of Opposition in Manipur Assembly, made the remarks after Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated on Sunday that no border pillar was shifted within Manipur as reported in a section of the media.

During his visit to Manipur, Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, had stated that there was no "issue" since India's land was not affected at all.

Singh said the Congress has urged the Centre to conduct the border survey once again as provided in the agreement signed on March 10, 1967.

The viewpoints of all stakeholders including the villagers of Kwatha Khunnou should be taken into consideration, he said, adding that the residents fear their village might be relocated out of India if such an action took place.

Singh also said the Congress shall never accept the Citizenship Amendment Bill, 2016.

--IANS

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