Centre to act firmly on Indo-Myanmar border pillar damage; Manipur police inspect Chandel site

BJP MLA Thongam Bishwajit on January 19 said that the Government of India will take the recent incident of destruction of a border pillar along the Indo-Myanmar boundary in Manipur very seriously, asserting that necessary steps will be taken to ensure a safe and secure international border.

Bishwajit made the remarks while speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a one-day get-together for peace and prosperity-cum-music concert organised by the All Manipur Tribal Film Organisation, Manipur (ATFOM). The programme was held under the theme “Heal Our Land”.

Responding to queries on the recent incident in Chandel district, the BJP legislator said the construction of border pillars and fencing is an ongoing process aimed at curbing illegal immigration and strengthening border management. He acknowledged that incidents of obstruction or damage may occur, as “miscreants exist everywhere,” but stressed that vested interests would not be allowed to derail the Centre’s efforts.

“The Government of India will surely take all necessary steps to ensure a safe and secure border in the state, even if some groups attempt to create hindrances by damaging newly constructed border infrastructure,” Bishwajit said.

Meanwhile, Manipur Police said investigations are continuing into the damage caused to the newly erected border fencing near Border Pillar 62 along the Indo-Myanmar border in Chandel district. Police officials stated that the fencing was allegedly damaged by unidentified miscreants suspected to be from the Myanmar side.

Also Read: Border fencing damaged near Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Chandel district

According to police, following the registration of an FIR in connection with the incident on January 16, a team from Molcham Police Station visited the affected site as part of follow-up action. The damaged stretch is located in the LH Zangnomphai area under Chandel district.

A police official said the team interacted with villagers residing in the vicinity, comprising around 50 to 60 households, and urged them to remain vigilant. The villagers were also advised on the importance of proper border fencing to prevent future incidents.

The official noted that border pillars fall under the jurisdiction of the Assam Rifles, limiting the direct role of Manipur Police in border security. He emphasised the need for round-the-clock deployment of security forces in sensitive border areas and maintaining high construction standards so that fencing cannot be easily damaged.

It may be recalled that unidentified miscreants allegedly from Myanmar’s Chin State damaged a stretch of newly erected border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border in Manipur’s Chandel district on January 16. According to the district police and administration, the incident occurred near the New Samtal area between Border Pillar 62 and subsidiary pillar 62/2 during the intervening nights of January 14 and 15.

The affected region shares a substantial portion of its boundary with Myanmar’s Chin State and partly with Sagaing State. Police said efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those involved in the incident.