India, Myanmar launch cleanliness driver along border

Imphal, Jan 19: Officials and citizens from India and Myanmar on Friday launched a cleanliness campaign along their border.

Myanmar Army and civilian officials came to the no man’s land to spruce up the areas which had become a dumping ground for rubbish from both sides. They brought excavators too.  On the Indian side, Superintendent of Police S. Ibomcha, Assam Rifles commanding officer A.S. Rawat and other officials took part in the drive.

Ibomcha said: “The joint campaign is welcome. It is to be seen whether such campaigns can be held once a month.”

Locals who took part in the campaign said they would cooperate with the government in the campaign.

“It will go a long way in furthering the good neighbourly relations between the two countries,” said L. Achou, a resident.

The joint campaign comes after two recent stand-offs between the two countries.

In the first, some residents of Myanmar along the border started levelling the ground at the no man’s land. The Indian authorities stopped it since India was not informed about it.

Last year, Myanmar officials came to Hollenphai village in Manipur and dismantled a saw mill saying that it was built in Myanmar territory.(IANS)