The Indian government has announced a major infrastructure project to fence the entire 1,643 km border between India and Myanmar, at an estimated cost of ₹31,000 crore. This decision follows ongoing ethnic violence in Manipur, which Union Home Minister Amit Shah has linked to the porous border’s role in facilitating smuggling and illegal activities.
On Tuesday, Shah reported that 30 km of fencing has already been completed. This border, known for smuggling arms, ammunition, and narcotics, has been a significant concern for Indian security forces. The Central government has also decided to scrap the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allowed border residents to travel up to 16 km into each other’s territories without documentation.
The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the fencing and road construction along the border. To date, around 10 km of fencing has been completed near Moreh, with work progressing on an additional 21 km in Manipur.
The India-Myanmar border traverses several states, including Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. In response to the ongoing violence, which began on May 3 last year following a tribal solidarity march in Manipur, the Central government has taken several measures. Two battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been deployed in Manipur, and around 200 companies of central police forces are stationed across the region.
To address the humanitarian needs exacerbated by the violence, the Manipur government has introduced 25 mobile vans that serve as shops providing essential commodities at fair prices. Additionally, the Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars (KPKB) have opened new police canteens to offer essential goods at reasonable prices. Of the 16 new canteens, eight will be located in the valley districts, and the remaining eight will be in the hilly areas.
The ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur has resulted in the deaths of over 220 individuals, including members of the Kuki and Meitei communities, and security personnel. The Central government is committed to enhancing border security and ensuring stability in the region through these extensive measures.
Sources By Agencies
