Chiefs of Manipur border villages oppose Indo-Myanmar fencing project

As many as 14 Manipur villages along the Indo-Myanmar border joined the chorus objecting to the fencing of the international border.
India is fencing its 1,643-kilometre-long porous international border with Myanmar out of which Manipur shares 398 kilometer.
The fencing project is currently underway in the border states of Manipur, Mizoram, and Nagaland despite strong opposition from various tribal based CSOs, particularly Naga and Kuki based organisations in Manipur.
A joint statement signed by chiefs of as many as 14 border villages in Chandel district stated that they strongly opposed the border fencing in their areas while citing growing public concern over its potential impact on land ownership, cultural identity, and community integrity as the main reason.
“After collective deliberation, we have unanimously decided to oppose and prohibit any continuation of the fencing work within our respective jurisdictions,” the joint statement read.
It warned that if the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) resumes construction activities despite their objection, they will not be held responsible for any consequences that may arise.
“We earnestly urge the concerned authorities to immediately halt all construction activities until such time the Kuki-Zo people attain a Separate Administration from the state of Manipur,” the joint statement added.
The chiefs stated that the demarcation and fencing works have created widespread anxiety among villagers, particularly over fears of loss of ancestral land and the division of closely linked families and communities.
Manipur shares 398 km of India’s international border with Myanmar and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has already commenced fencing work in the Tengnoupal sector of the border. The fencing of 10 km of border in the Moreh sector of the border had been completed earlier.
The Centre is proceeding with plans to fence the entire 1,643-km border with Myanmar, including the Manipur sector, as part of a broader strategy to enhance border security and manage the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
However, the initiative received stiff objection from various Naga and Kuki bodies on the ground that it would disrupt ethnic and familial ties of people living on both sides of the border.
To settle the matter, the Centre, represented by top officials of the Union ministry of home affairs, had held a meeting with United Naga Council, the apex of tribes within the fold of Naga in New Delhi on August 26 last.
The meeting was, however, inconclusive as the UNC stuck to its demand – an immediate halt to the India-Myanmar border fencing work and reinstatement of the FMR (Free Movement Regime) even as the Central government officials said border fencing is an issue of national security.
Recently, chiefs of as many as 16 Kuki villages residing along the Indo-Myanmar border have also raised their strong opposition to the ongoing border fencing while demanding immediate halt to the fencing work until Kuki organizations’ demand for a separate administration for the community is achieved.