Zou CSOs protest border fencing
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 19 2024: At a time when there is a growing concern of cross border infiltration fanning the Manipur conflict, members of Zou Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) put on display a defiant demonstration at Behiang village today against any fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.

Sources said a delegation of the Zou CSOs reached Behiang village, staged a protest demonstration and held talks with the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), the Assam Rifles and local leaders including the chief of the village.

During the meeting with the BRTF and the Assam Rifles, the members of the Zou CSOs voiced strong opposition against construction of border fencing and asserted that no fence should be erected without the consultation and collaboration of the local communities, CSOs, and the Behiang Area Chiefs' Association.

Zou CSOs protest border fencing

The delegation called for an immediate suspension of the construction of the fence until a "more thorough and participatory framework is established" .

The Zou CSO members articulated that the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) was a blatant repudiation of the Centre's Act East Policy initiated in 2014 .

Further, the construction of the border fencing also undermines the same policy, they said.

Notably, the Act East Policy is an initiative that aims to strengthen India's economic and strategic ties with countries in Southeast Asia and East Asia, enhance connectivity, trade and commerce.

Issuing a stern warning, the CSO leaders said both the Centre and the State Government should cease the construction.

If the construction proceeds in defiance of their protests, they said the Government will be held entirely accountable for any unfortunate incidents, conflicts, or repercussions that may ensue.

"We will not bear responsibility for any fallout stemming from the Government's blatant disregard for our rights and interests," they said.

It may be noted that amid the current Manipur crisis, the State Government and the Centre have blamed infiltrators for fuelling the violent conflict.

Identifying cross border infiltration as a cause of the crisis in the North Eastern State, the Central Government had taken the decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and expedite fencing work to plug the porous border.

Meanwhile, the opposition to border fencing is being seen by a major section of the people as an open call favouring or encouraging influx of illegal immigrants/infiltration that has destabilising impacts on the State's demography, security and economy.