Manipur border security is an old problem: Christopher Tilak
Imphal: Security along Manipur’s border with Myanmar remains a persistent problem, marked by challenges such as damage to newly erected border fencing, illegal migration, narco-terrorism, insurgency, and cross-border smuggling.
The AICC Secretary in charge of Manipur, Christopher Tilak, told the media at Imphal International Airport on Sunday that border security in Manipur has always been problematic.
He was referring to an incident that took place near the New Samtal area between Border Pillar (BP) 62 and the 62/2 Subsidiary Pillar during the wee hours of January 14 and 15.
Replying to a question raised by a media person regarding damage caused by unidentified miscreants along the Manipur-Myanmar border recently, Christopher Tilak said, “What has happened is indeed very unfortunate.”
It may be noted that unidentified miscreants cut down 47 hollow circular fencing poles and damaged approximately 150 metres of newly constructed border fencing. One fencing pole was also found missing near Lh Zangnomphai village.
The New Samtal area largely shares its border with Myanmar’s Chin State and partially with Sagaing State.
When asked about the response so far from the central government regarding the handling of border fencing, the AICC leader said that, as far as the central government is concerned, whatever is happening along the Indo-Myanmar border fencing has some basic intent behind every act.
Tilak slammed the government, alleging that for the last five years, the central government has been irresponsible in handling the situation in Manipur. He said the state’s economy is in serious trouble and added, “I think they are not serious about border development and fencing works.”
The Congress leader arrived in Imphal to review the latest political and law-and-order situation. During his ten-day visit to Manipur, he said he would visit and inspect four to five different districts.
Notably, the Indian government has accelerated border development and fencing, particularly along the 1,643-km India-Myanmar border, following the suspension of the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
