Governor reviews progress of border fencing project
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 02 2025: Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday reviewed the ongoing Indo-Myanmar border fencing project, including challenges related to land acquisition, approach roads, manpower, and security, at Raj Bhavan, here.

According to a statement issued by PRO, Raj Bhavan, the review meeting was attended by top officials including the chief secretary, security advisor, director general of police, principal chief conservator of forests, principal secretary (agriculture), commissioner (home), and secretary to the Governor.

Representatives of Assam Rifles and DCs from five border districts also participated in the meeting via video conference.

Officials from the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) briefed the Governor on the current status of the project.

The Governor was apprised of key implementation issues affecting the execution of the fencing across the entire Manipur stretch of the Indo-Myanmar border.

The BRTF highlighted both operational progress and logistical hurdles.

Security concerns, manpower needs, and infrastructural bottlenecks were also discussed.

Meanwhile, earlier reports suggested that the border fencing project gathered pace since Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in February 2024 that the entire 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border would be fenced within 10 years using indigenous anti-cut, anti-climb technology.

The Centre has allocated Rs 31,031.9 crore under a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved proposal for the construction and maintenance of the border fence and roads for the Assam Rifles' Company Operating Bases (COBs).

From April to December 2024, Rs 114.09 crore was spent on fencing and infrastructure.

The plan includes 1,610.2 km of fencing and 64 border roads, including 58 roads (1,467.5 km) to COBs and six approach roads (78.7 km) to the Indo-Myanmar Border.

Despite the government's push, the fencing has faced opposition from various Naga and Kuki-Zo groups who fear it will disrupt long-standing ethnic and familial ties along the border belt.

As of 2024, only 10 km of fencing near Moreh had been completed.

Reports also cited central government officials saying that surveillance systems, including cameras, will be installed along the fence, and biometric border passes with QR codes are being issued to individuals crossing the designated points under the revised Free Movement Regime (FMR).

Eleven of the 22 functioning crossing gates under this regime are located in Manipur.

In a separate engagement on Thursday, the Governor met Imphal Peace Museum director Haobam Joyremba Singh along with other officials.

The delegation briefed the Governor on the museum's mission to promote peace and preserve history.

They also formally invited the Governor to attend the upcoming foundation day celebration of the museum, scheduled for next month.

The Governor also received a delegation from the All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO), led by its president Rev L Simon Raomai.

The team shared concerns faced by the Christian community, particularly in the wake of the ethnic unrest that has impacted many religious institutions across the state.

Bhalla assured the delegation that their issues would be looked into, another statement added.

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