Myanmar Army intrudes and captures Indian Village in Manipur

Imphal: Myanmar Army Â intruded and capturedÂ Holenphai village in the Chadel district of Manipur, along the India-Myanmar Border on August 22 say local media reports. They cleared forests and setup base camps there claiming it to be their territory.

However the matter was escalated to higher officials of both Sides on a Post Meeting on August 26 and sources reveal that Myanmar has agreed to stop construction of their post and have ceased forest clearance. The Area was located just 100km from Manipur Capital Imphal.

“The Myanmar army was cutting trees to make their post on the border. The area was very close to the International Border, but our army got it stopped,” said Shambhu Singh, the Home Ministry’s Joint Secy, North East.

Myanmarese soldiers reportedly claimed the village was part of their territory, but New Delhi says it is an un-demarcated, ‘no construction zone’ on India’s side of the border.

Local media reports that Holenphai village chief Lalkholun Haokip was on an inspection round in the area when he chanced upon Myanmar Army’s preparations. The Burmese SoldiersÂ refused to answer their questions and asked the Indians to contact their seniors.

Even after the interference by Officers of 7 Assam Rifles, Burmese Â refused to stop the work claiming two things: the territory they were building the platoon base on was Myanmar’s and the instructions to build the camp had come from higher authorities and therefore it was not a local level decision that could be negotiated.Â In fact, Myanmarese Commanding Officer showed the Indian officials a detailed Myanmar map which depicted Holenphai village falling within neighbouring country’s territory.

However the matter seems to be resolved temporarily after a Post Meeting on August 26. Â Indian Officials say thatÂ Â it was Â a “local misunderstanding”, not an incursion.Â The village is next to a disputed pillar, numbered 76, along the border. There are nine pillars that remain disputed, say Indian officials.

The Myanmarese soldiers claimed the village was part of their territory, but Indian maintained that it was an un-demarcated, ‘no construction zone’ on India’s side of the border.

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