Indo-Myanmar Borderland
- Part 2 -

Paisho Keishing *

Inspection of India-Myanmar border area near Moreh on August 8 - 10, 2013 :: Pix - United Committee Manipur (UCM)

Socio- economic and cultural conditions: The past 40 to 50 years the movement of people for trade and commerce and cultural was strictly prohibited despite of similar civilization and proximity at the borderland of Indo- Myanmar, there was no language problems in borderland. The northern borderland of Myanmar and Eastern borderland of North Eastern region are not properly researched and trap the benefits of cultural and economic relations.

The main attraction in borderland for foreign investment is its abundant natural resources of agriculture product, timber, minerals and marine products. Most of the natural resources are underutilized or untapped in the contiguous areas of Saigang Division, Kachin and Chin state of Myanmar border with Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram. Their major economic sectors are Agriculture and trade, there are self sufficient, rich in rice, pulse, beans marine products (fish, prawn), live stocks.

Their principal industries are agro- based industries, wood based industries, food stuff, timber, teak product, forests product, natural as well as finished goods such as electronic items, textiles, garments, furniture which are coming from Myanmar and south East Asia are readily available but we are not properly tap.

Borderland can be transformed into cultural and economic prosperity. It will help for search of political and economic convergence with a large dynamic region of South East Asia. Multilateral relations, strategic and cooperative partnership, peace and prosperity, mutual benefits will achieve if both the country seriously ponder without walling. This will be important step for advancing friendly relations with neighbors, earn substantial benefit for the people of both sides of the borderland.

The tribal culture is entirely different from the way of civilized people in their customs and practices belief, attitude and so on. The people living in the borderland are tradition and custom bound society victim of superstitious belief, their society is closed system. Some of the people have popularizing the tribal religion such as worship of moon, big stone, big tree, river etc. on the other hand Christianity also spreading very fast.

Agriculture is the main economy of Myanmar border with India however it is confined mainly to the plains. Shifting cultivation still prevails in the hills. Rice, wheat, maize, ground nut, sesame, pulses, chillies, onions, potatos, tobacco, sugar-cane, tea, mustard, and vegetable are grown. Fruits such as leeches, oranges, grapefruits, and pears are also products of borderland of Myanmar. Forest products include teak and other hard woods, fire woods and charcoal, cane, bamboo, cutch and resin.

Security Perspective: There was no stability and share prosperity at borderland due to the prolong ignorance in development by successive government of both countries. The location, climate and size of the area are conducive for economic policy but it was cap under security perspective.

At present trade and commerce unfolded, building security force relations, diverse insurgency problems, proliferations small arms, drug trafficking, illegal activities are prevailing however this may slowly vanish when there is right economic approach to the borderland. The important of borderland has economic as well as security perspective, by securing economy the area can be transforms from security burden into a land of economic security.

If Fifty years of look west policy was to the east there will be tremendous progress for the borderland of the east. The Government of India was paying insufficient attention to its eastern neighbour, if it was taken than the north east wills much advance than the mainland India. Myanmar and India have been view the region only from the security perspective this led to negative transnational consequences.

EDUCATION: Illiteracy is one of the most problems in Indo – Myanmar border. Many parents' children's hear about the school and education but for them it is a distant dream. Most of people are poor, no permanence income depend upon the seasonal timber business mostly. Education appears to be a luxury for them. There are many children who could not study due to lack of school. Illiteracy and ignorance rule the border areas.

The illiteracy and ignorance of the tribal of borderland could not appreciate modern concept of health and sanitation. They belief that disease such as malaria, typhoid, skin disease, TB, etc are causes by the hostile spirit of ghost. Borderlands are mostly Christian in India side whereas the majority of the Burmese are Buddhist and atheist. Burmese are accepting Christianity by the missionary movement; the place becomes the mission field for Christian missionary movement from inside and outside Myanmar.

TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATION: The Indo- Myanmar borderland are survived with unchanging way of life for centuries, they are still primitive stage and far from impact of modern civilization. 90 % (percent) live in the forest areas, hilly, mountainous places without proper communication from city, without electricity.

Water depends on steam, tributary and river waters. The people living in the borderland are facing untold problems of geographical separation from the city, living in the unapproachable physical areas such as dense forest, hill and terrain. It is difficult for establish relations with other. The transport and communication system are well established at the trading point like Moreh which are establish by the bilateral government of India and Myanmar other are porous border transportation by bullock Card and 'turbo 'motor cycle made in Myanmar.

There is no mobile and internet network in the border areas. Thanks to the introduction of telecommunication mobile like MTS mobile with CDMA sim card by this we can communication from the border. Transport and communication is one of the factors for underdevelopment of borderland, once upon the time there was no language problems from both side with the independence boderlanders turn their eye to New Delhi and Rangoon. In rainy season there is no transport system to cross both sides.

The medium of communication/instruction is also another hindrance to the promotion of education among us. Seeing and analyzing all the problems both the countries are neglecting in all round development of the people of borderland.

Concluded ...