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Village chiefs from Chandel district in Manipur have united to oppose the ongoing Indo-Myanmar border fencing, calling for construction to stop until the Kuki-Zo people receive a separate administrative setup. The Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) has begun fencing work near Moreh in Tengnoupal district as part of Project Sewak, while only 10 km of the 398 km Manipur-Myanmar border has been fenced so far. The 1,643 km India-Myanmar border spans four states and previously operated under a Free Movement Regime, which was revoked last year, now limiting movement to 43 designated points with Assam Rifles-issued border passes.
Village leaders in Chandel district, located along the Indo-Myanmar border, have formally opposed the ongoing border fencing led by the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF). They have called for an immediate halt to construction until the Kuki-Zo people are granted a distinct administrative setup, separate from the state of Manipur. Advertisement
In a collective statement, the village chiefs clarified that following discussions and concerns raised by residents, they have unanimously decided to block any continuation of fencing work in their areas. They warned that if the BRTF resumes construction despite their objections, the villagers would not be responsible for any consequences arising from such activities.
The chiefs emphasized that all construction must pause until the separate administrative demands of the Kuki-Zo people are met. The Kuki-Zo community has long sought autonomy to manage their own affairs in border regions.
The fencing project forms part of a larger initiative to secure India's border with Myanmar. Work has started in the Moreh area of Tengnoupal district under Project Sewak, though only 10 km of the 398 km Manipur-Myanmar border has been fenced so far. The entire India-Myanmar border spans 1,643 km across Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, and it had previously allowed unrestricted movement for local residents under a Free Movement Regime (FMR). Last year, the government revoked the FMR, now limiting cross-border travel to 43 designated points for individuals holding Assam Rifles-issued border passes. Nine of these crossing points are located in Nagaland.
The fencing, estimated to cost INR 31,000 crore, aims to strengthen border security. However, the move has raised concerns among local communities about its social and administrative implications, particularly regarding the Kuki-Zo people's demand for separate governance.
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