Imphal: Chief Minister N Biren Singh Wednesday reiterated the Government’s stand on the border issue stating that the State Government is fully committed to safeguarding its boundaries at any cost. He was replying to a query raised by opposition MLA K Ranjit Singh in the morning session of the ongoing 12th session of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly today.
MLA Ranjit Singh brought up media reports on land encroachment and border disputes in Dzuko Valley and Tungjoy during question hour, responding to which the Leader of the House N Biren Singh said that a security barrack has been completed recently and another one will be completed soon. Road to Dzuko valley via Mount Iso is being constructed, he added.
Regarding Tungjoy, CM said that there was a small dispute which has been resolved. He informed the House that a Deputy Commandant, 2 Jamadars, 22 MR personnel, 1 Inspector, 10 Police personnel along with 16 unarmed personnel are at present deployed in the area keeping strict vigil on the border. He said that on December 30, 2020, one ADGP ranked officer along with high ranking officers met local leaders in the area. Some group at Tungjoy who were trying to construct a structure left the area following the meeting, he informed.
Terming the matter as a sensitive issue, he said that it is a traditional boundary which has been there since ages and informed the House that he highlighted the border issue between the neighbouring State to the Union Home Minister during the recently concluded North Eastern Council meeting held in Shillong. He said that the Union Home Minister was of the view that the various boundary disputes in the entire North East should be solved amicably between the states and in case the NE States are unable to reach an amicable solution then only the Centre will intervene in the matter.
Regarding the border disputes of the State, CM said that a joint meeting will be called between the locals to discuss the matter. In case there is no amicable solution then the Centre will be apprised of it.
Replying to a question raised by opposition MLA Surajkumar Okram, the Chief Minister said that State could not revoke the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 as it is implemented by the Centre. He said that although insurgency has declined considerably, the State has no say regarding the matter as it is under the purview of the Centre. He assured that the matter will be apprised to the Centre after ascertaining the ground reality as the State has a sensitive border.
On a query raised by K Ranjit Singh, N Biren informed the House that it has been a year since the extension of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 in the State after given accent from the President of India on December 11, 2019. He said at present there is a prohibition of the land registration as the guidelines under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 is being framed and at the same time recommendations are being awaited from the House Committee on ILPS.
He said that framing of the guidelines is necessary to safeguard the land for the generations as the area of the indigenous land is shrinking. He assured that rare and genuine cases will be considered after forming sub-committee in Cabinet level to solve registration issue. He assured the House that the framing of the guidelines will be completed soon.
