Stop Indo-Myanmar border fencing: Village heads of Manipur's Chandel district

Village chiefs of the Indo-Myanmar border areas in Manipur's Chandel district have decided to oppose and prohibit the continuation of the fencing work within their respective jurisdictions. They urged the authorities to immediately halt all construction activities until the Kuki-Zo people attain a separate administration from Manipur.

In a statement, the village chiefs stated, "We, the village chiefs of the Indo-Myanmar border areas in Chandel district, would like to issue this clarification in response to growing pressure from our villagers and the public concerning the ongoing border fencing construction. After collective deliberation, we have unanimously decided to oppose and prohibit any continuation of the fencing work within our respective jurisdictions. Should the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) resume construction activities despite our objection, we will not be held responsible for any consequences that may arise."

"We earnestly urge the authorities to immediately halt all construction activities until such time the Kuki-Zo people attain a separate administration from the state of Manipur," they said.

Manipur shares 398 km of international border with Myanmar. Sources said, "BRO has commenced work on erecting the fencing along the India-Myanmar border in the general area of Moreh in Tengnoupal district. The work is undertaken by Project Sewak."

Sources said only 10 km of international border with Myanmar is fenced near Moreh in Manipur.

The 1,643 km porous India-Myanmar border will be fenced at a cost of ₹31,000 crore. The 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, has a Free Movement Regime (FMR). The decision to scrap the FMR with neighbouring Myanmar was taken last year. FMR allowed people residing close to the border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without visa.

According to the instruction, the movement of people has been limited to 43 designated crossing points and will be granted only to those who hold border passes issued by Assam Rifles. Of these 43 designated points, nine are in Nagaland.