Ground survey for border fencing starts amid growing opposition
'Update NRC, set up Population Commission instead'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 23 2024: The Government has started the ground survey and data collection work to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border (in Kamjong) amid opposition by sections of people.

The survey from Border Pillar (BP) 6 to Border Pillar 110 (Chasad/Kamjong) which covers a distance of 20.25 Kms began on October 18, 2024 as per a letter written by General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) to the 10 Sector Assam Rifles, Kamjong DC and Kamjong SP.

GREF is a part of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and it sought necessary assistance and security from the Assam Rifles and Kamjong district administration to complete the survey without any hindrance from the locals.

Ground survey for border fencing starts amid growing opposition

Though The Sangai Express could not independently verify the progress of the survey, the letter mentioned that 'the work is to be completed on utmost priority' .

GREF has also been entrusted to prepare DPR for fencing of Indo-Myanmar border from BP 110 to BP 116 (Chasad/Kamjong) covering a distance of 26.10 Kms; BP 116 to Bp 124 (Chasad/Kamjong) covering a distance of 30.30 Km; BP 124 to BP 125 in Ukhrul (23.20 Km) and BP 125 to 130 in Ukhrul (31.50 Km) as per the letter.

It may be mentioned that the Indian Government had decided to temporarily halt fencing work along the Indo-Myanmar border in Kuki-dominated areas of Manipur as per reports published by different National media houses over a month back and it evoked sharp reaction from organisations such as COCOMI and UCM among others.

According to the controversial report, a meeting with senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials concluded that fencing in the Kuki-populated hill regions will be delayed, while work in other border areas will continue as scheduled.

Eastern Tangkhul Students Union (ETSU) and Southern Tangkhul Students Union (STSU), meanwhile, voiced their strong opposition to the Government's decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border in Kamjong and Ukhrul districts.

Speaking to the media at Manipur Press Club today, ETSU president Yarchuiso Kashung said that the Government should not fence the Indo-Myanmar border in Kamjong and Ukhrul under any circumstances.

Saying that they appreciate the effort being taken up by New Delhi to check the influx of illegal immigrants in the region, he added that scrapping Free Movement Regime (FMR) and permanently sealing Indo-Myanmar border, however, won't curb influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar nor resolve the crisis besetting Manipur.

The Central and the State Government, with unlimited resources, should adopt effective ways to deal with the pressing issue by updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC), constituting the Population Commission and strictly implementing Inner Line Permit (ILP) among other mechanisms, Yarchuiso said.

Maintaining that the existing Indo-Myanmar border is an imaginary line imposed on the Tangkhul Naga community who have been living across the border since time immemorial, he added that the faulty international border separates the brothers and sisters of Manipur.

Kabaw valley, which used to be known as the rice bowl of Manipur was ceded to Myanmar (now Myanmar), he said.

Further stating that any attempt to carry out the fencing project by force would be met with resistance, he reminded that they wrote to Chief Minister N Biren Singh through Phungyar MLA on September 20 last to halt the fencing process.

He also asked what does Chasad/Kamjong in the letter refer to? .

Continuing that Chasad is a Kuki village which falls under the jurisdiction of Sampui, a Tangkhul village in Kamjong and the same village is not situated close to Indo-Myanmar border, Yarchuiso maintained that tagging the name of Chasad in the letter is irrelevant as BPs 6 to 124 are within the jurisdiction of Kamjong.

No new district called Chasad was formed at the time of creating seven new districts in December 2016, he said and asked whether the Central Government is pursuing an agenda to create misunderstanding between certain communities by inserting objectionable contents in the letter.

Yarchuiso also said that the Government issuing an order to prepare DPR for the fencing work in Kamjong and Ukhrul on October 17 without considering the sentiments of the local residents was disrespectful.

Continuing that the Government will regret later if they erect fences along the Indo-Myanmar border, he added that leaving the border as it is would be the right step.

He went on to state that those involved or co-operating in surveying the border in Kamjong and Ukhrul to erect fences would be treated as their enemies.