R Dutta Choudhury
GUWAHATI, Aug 21 - The villagers living along the India-Myanmar border areas are at the mercy of the militants and undesirable elements because of lack of presence of administration in the area. This was the observation of the Task Force constituted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to study the problems in managing the international border with Myanmar and to suggest measures to improve it.
The Task Force, headed by the Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) RN Ravi, pointed out in its report that there is gross deficiency of infrastructure in the villages along the Myanmar border and there is immediate need for improving the situation. Basic amenities, like roads, power, etc., in the 10-kilometre belt along the Myanmar border, covering four States were found lacking.
The Task Force pointed out that around three lakh people in around 250 villages are living in the 10-kilometre belt along the international border and as there is hardly any presence of administration in the area, the people are left at the mercy of “God, militants and undesirable elements”. Such a situation seriously affects management of the international border and there is urgent need for infrastructure development to secure the border.
The Task Force recommended that along with infrastructure development, adequate number of police stations and other security infrastructure should be developed along the international border.
It may be mentioned here that during his recent meeting with the Chief Ministers of the North-east States, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had also called for setting up of adequate number of police stations in the areas bordering Myanmar.
The Task Force pointed out that there are around 20 “split villages” in the States of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur. Half of the villages are located in India and the other half in Myanmar. The Task Force said that a survey of such villages should be conducted and the Indian citizens should be given identity cards so that they can be identified easily.
In recent times, the Government of India has given priority to securing the international border with Myanmar, which is vital not only for checking the free movement of militants taking shelter in the neighbouring country but also because of the fact that a secure border is vital for the success of the ‘Act East Policy’. Members of the Task force visited the international border areas and had talks with the concerned State governments and the security forces working on the ground before finalising the report.