Police and security personnel in Manipur. Representative image.
Credit: PTI Photo
Guwahati: In what may upset Centre's move to fence the border with Myanmar, at least seven influential community organisations in Moreh, a border town in Manipur, asked residents to deny land for construction of the fencing.
This came two days after the influential Kuki Chiefs' Organisation at Moreh issued an appeal opposing the Centre's move to fence the border saying this would divide the Kuki communities living on both sides of the border.
Endorsing the association's appeal, at least six Kuki organisations at Moreh on Monday evening said the fence would become a barrier and would threaten the way of life and culture of the communities. They also rejected the narrative describing the Kuki communities as illegal migrants from Myanmar.
Moreh is a trade town in Tengnoupal district and is dominated by the Kukis. Meiteis, who used to live in Moreh, fled to the valley after the conflict involving the Meiteis and the Kukis erupted in May 2023.
The organisations, who issued the appeal, enjoy influence among the residents and denial of land may upset government's work to fence the border. The organisations included Kuki Students' Organisation, Moreh, Hill Tribes Council and Kuki Women Union and Human Rights.
The Centre earlier approved over Rs 30,000 crore to fence the 1,643-km border with Myanmar. The decision was taken following demands by the Meiteis, who are in majority in Manipur. Home Minister Amit Shah said the decision to fence the border was taken in order to check illegal migration and cross border criminal activities. Meiteis welcomed the decision but the Kukis, Mizos and Nagas launched an agitation against the decision saying this would divide their communities living on both sides of the border.
Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh share the border with Myanmar.