Manipur CM meets top officials, discusses urgent border fencing plans along India-Myanmar border

Sep 24, 2023,
Updated Sep 24, 2023, 8:57 PM IST

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh held a crucial meeting with officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other senior state officials on September 24. During the meeting, they discussed plans to extend the India-Myanmar border fencing by an additional 70 kilometers. The primary objective behind this initiative is to combat cross-border illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

Taking to microblogging site X, Chief Minister N Biren Singh stated, "Held a meeting with the officials of BRO and deliberated the plan to begin construction of an additional 70 km of border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border. I was joined by Chief Secretary, DGP & officials from the Home Department. In view of the rise in illegal immigration and drugs smuggling from the neighboring country, safeguarding our porous borders has become an urgent necessity."

This decision comes in response to the increasing challenges posed by illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the India-Myanmar border. The porous nature of the border has made it susceptible to these activities, necessitating immediate action.

Less than 10 per cent of Manipur's 400-kilometer international border with Myanmar is currently fenced, leaving the region vulnerable to cross-border illegal activities. While fencing the entire border is challenging due to the difficult topography, authorities believe that targeting areas where illegal activities are most rampant can be a more manageable task.

The issue of border security and illegal immigration was highlighted when Chief Minister Biren Singh urged the Central government to "permanently close" the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows individuals on either side of the border to travel up to 16 kilometers into the other country. The FMR, enacted as part of India's Act East Policy, aimed to promote trade, business, and free movement between ethnically similar communities in both countries. However, it inadvertently facilitated illegal activities.

On September 23, Chief Minister Biren Singh confirmed that the Union Home Minister had sanctioned the border fencing activities. He mentioned, "Our government's priority is to stop illegal influx from Myanmar for that we need immediate border fencing. Now Union home minister already sanctioned and I'm told that the work order has also been issued to BRO for about 60 km (border fencing activities) subject to confirmation."

Manipur CM meets top officials, discusses urgent border fencing plans along India-Myanmar border

This decision comes in response to the increasing challenges posed by illegal immigration and drug trafficking across the India-Myanmar border. The porous nature of the border has made it susceptible to these activities, necessitating immediate action.

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