Central team in Manipur to visit border pillar

A three-member Central team led by Surveyor General of India arrived in Manipur today to visit a border pillar in the Indo-Myanmar border to check whether it stands on the 'actual spot', officials said.

The team led by Surveyor General of India Lt Gen Girish Kumar comprises of joint secretary (Border Management) in the Ministry of Home Affairs, J A V Dharma Reddy and joint secretary (Bangladesh and Myanmar) Ministry of External Affairs, Sripriya Rangnathan.

The team left for Moreh town in Tengnoupal district and will visit the border pillar number 81 in the Indo-Myanmar border tomorrow, a senior police officer said.

After the visiting the border pillar the team would hold meeting with state government officials and representatives of different political parties.

Many social organisations in Manipur had alleged that border pillar 81 had been shifted 3 km inside the Indian territory.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on July 12 said the India-Myanmar international boundary has remained "untouched and unaffected" since its construction in 1970.

The CM said the border, separating India from Myanmar, was constructed based on an agreement signed between the two countries in 1967.

"The government, in view of public apprehension, has written to the Centre to conduct a field visit to check if pillar no 81 at Kwatha Khunou in Tengnoupal district stands at the 'actual spot' as per the 1967 agreement in order to convince the stakeholders," he said.

Last month, Tengnoupal Deputy Commissioner Tombikanta, after visiting the border area, claimed that border pillar 81 had been shifted 3 km inside the Indian territory. His claim found favour with local people, several social bodies as well as political parties.

The Ministry of External Affairs, taking note of the allegations, had issued a press release on July 8, claiming that the allegation was "baseless and unsubstantiated".

During a recent visit to the site, Manipur Revenue Minister Karam Shyam also said some sections of "political rivals" were portraying a wrong picture.