Manipur: Kukis against border fence with Myanmar

Six organisations in the border town of Moreh have asked residents not to give up their land for the construction of a border fence. The project by the central government, backed by ethnic Meitei, would mark the end of the free movement regime for tribal populations. Protests break out in Nagaland as well, where the Naga fear a new division of their land.

Imphal (AsiaNews) – Kuki organisations in Manipur have asked border residents to refuse to give their land to build a fence with Myanmar.

On Monday, at least six groups in the border town of Moreh (scene of past intercommunal violence) issued a public appeal against plans by the Indian government a border fence, saying that the structure threatens the lifestyle and culture of local communities on both sides of the border, the Deccan Herald reports.

The groups also rejected allegations that Kukis are illegal migrants from Myanmar.

Moreh is located in Tengnoupal district, a strategic area on the border with Myanmar and a long-standing major hub for cross-border trade.

Tensions remain high in the town since the imposition of the President’s rule on the  northeastern state of Manipur following the outbreak of violence in 2023 pitting predominantly Catholic Kuki and the mostly Hindu Meitei (who are the largest ethnic group in the state).

The Indian government is investing more than 300 billion rupees to build the barrier along the 1,643 kilometres of the Indo-Burmese border line.

The project, proposed following the Meitei's requests, also provides for the cancellation of the so-called free movement regime (FMR), an agreement that allows tribal populations to cross the border without a visa within a limit of 16 kilometres for family or religious reasons.

According to Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, this is aimed at stemming illegal migration and trafficking. However, the initiative has aroused strong opposition among several ethnic communities living along the border.

Ethnic Mizo and Naga immediately joined the Kuki to oppose the decision. Protests have also taken place in the neighbouring state of Nagaland, which is part of India’s northeastern region.

In the past, the Naga Students' Federation (NSF) slammed the central government for failing to consult with local communities. “Naga civil societies and every Naga will continue to object to border fencing and scrapping of FMR in the Naga areas,” K. Tep, former president of the NSF, had told The Wire.

“Every Naga village is divided as per their customs  and traditions. And yet, without consulting them, an international boundary was settled. In spite of that border, Nagas still consider themselves as one people. Naga people will, therefore, not accept anything which will further divide the Nagas and their traditional land,” he added.

• india
• manipur
• nagaland
• myanmar
• border fence
• communal strife
• kuki
• meitei
• mizo
• naga