Troops of 5 Assam Rifles have conducted 24X7 patrolling along the porous border to stop Indian nationals from venturing into the troubled-torn Myanmar side
TFM Moreh Correspondent
Assam Rifles has enhanced vigil along the India-Myanmar international border ahead of Republic Day amid reports of heightened tensions in Tamu district of Myanmar. Troops of 5 Assam Rifles have conducted 24X7 patrolling along the porous border to stop Indian nationals from venturing into the troubled-torn Myanmar side.
The action has been taken as part of security measures ahead of the Republic Day celebrations in India to prevent movement of anti-national elements, said a source.
Meanwhile, tension escalated in the border district as Myanmar Junta geared up to hold a fresh election in 2023. Suspected resistance forces reportedly burnt down an election office in Tamu town on January 18, and a person was found shot dead in Namphalong just opposite Sunrise Youth Club Ground in Moreh on the same day.
Both Tamu town and Nanphalong are very close to Moreh border town in Tengnoupal district Manipur.
Myanmar junta is set to hold a fresh election in 2023 in accordance with the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, said a source. But the pro-democracy groups have seen the move as an effort to legitimise military rule.
On January 18, around 10 am, an election office at Myoma Ward, Tamu was set ablaze by unknown persons. Later, All Burma Student Democratic Front (ABSDF), a resistant group, claimed responsibility for the arson. Tamu Township Public Defense Team and ABSDF uploaded a post on their FB page, stating that it had burnt down the election office to prevent the Junta-sponsored election.
They stated that the attack was intended as a warning to local officials cooperating with the regime’s efforts to hold elections later this year.
On the same day, around 9 pm, a person was shot dead at Namphalong, just 25 metres away from the India-Myanmar border near Pillar No.78.
Resistant forces identified the victim as one Aa Thar Phyu Aye, a member of Pyu Saw Htee. He was shot eight-times around 8pm (/9pm) on January 18, they said. Aa Thar Phyu Aye is the right hand of Pyu Saw Htee leader Maung Chan Myae.