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NEW DELHI: The Myanmar Army, entered Indian territory in the state of Manipur and reportedly occupied a tract of land between boundary pillar number 6 (new) and 95 (old) at Choro Khunou village in Ukhrul district of the state.
According to reports, the Myanmar army claims that the stretch of land measuring around 6 kms is part of their territory. As a result, on April 18, a team of Myanmarese military officers accompanied by a posse of army and policemen intruded into Manipur’s territory at Choro area and evicted 30 villagers.
Further, the Myanmar authority allegedly seized one saw mill and other construction materials, the village headman informed.
Choro Khunou is located about 150 kms from the district headquarters of Ukhrul.
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, following reports of the incursion sent a police team led by a sub-divisional officer (SDPO) on Thursday to enquire into the matter.
Ibobi held a meeting and discussed the matter with top brasses of the state police and Central security forces including Assam Rifles which guards the international border in the Manipur sector. The meeting was attended by IG of Assam Rifles (South), IG of CRPF, Additional Director of SIB, IG of 57 Mountain Division, DIG of BSF besides DGP and ADGP of the Manipur police. Additional Chief Secretary O Nabakishore and Principal Secretary (home) Suresh Babu also took part in the meeting.
The Chief Minister had earlier reaffirmed his government’s commitment regarding the protection and safeguarding of territorial boundary of the Manipur, while addressing a gathering at Kheba Ching in Thoubal in connection with the observation of Khongjom Day. “……….no tolerance to any incursion into the territory of Manipur,” , he had stated.
Meanwhile, Secretary of another Kangpat village, JS Chithung, in a statement also alleged that the Myanmarese authority has occupied about 3 square kilometres of land inside the Indian territory which falls between Maklang and Namia rivers.
The village authority of the Kangpat village said that Myanmarese troops had not only taken away housing materials including rice mill equipment but also warned the villagers not to construct any house or structure in the village. The village authority expressed suspicion that the action of Myanmarese army might be a fallout of the reported understanding reached between the two neighbouring countries on ceding some part of Choro Khunou to Myanmar in exchange for a piece of land at Moreh.
Interestingly, the statement further read that a large portion of Kangpat village had already been given to Myanmar with neither the consent of nor any compensation to the villagers.
