Kuki Organisations in Moreh Oppose India-Myanmar Border Fencing, Urge Locals to Deny Land

Moreh, April 17: In a strong move that could challenge the Union government’s massive border infrastructure plan, at least six Kuki organisations in Moreh have publicly appealed to local residents to deny land for the construction and fencing of the India-Myanmar border.

The organisations, during a gathering on Monday evening (April 14), stated that the proposed fencing would disrupt the traditional way of life, cultural ties, and community networks shared by people on both sides of the porous international boundary. They also denounced the narrative branding the Kuki community as illegal migrants, terming it as a divisive and baseless allegation.

Moreh, located in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district, is a key border trade hub and is home to a large Kuki population. The town has witnessed heightened tensions amid the ongoing ethnic conflict in Manipur that has seen a large-scale displacement of Meiteis from the valley region.

The Union government had earlier sanctioned over ₹30,000 crore for fencing the 1,643-kilometre India-Myanmar border, aiming to regulate cross-border movement and enhance national security. However, the move has met with stiff resistance from various tribal and indigenous groups including the Kukis, Mizos, and Nagas.

These communities argue that the fencing will divide ethnic groups and families that have historically lived and moved freely across the border due to shared ancestry, traditions, and kinship.

Similar protests have erupted in Nagaland, with the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) at the forefront. Former NSF president K. Tep stated that fencing the border without consulting indigenous communities undermines their traditional territorial integrity and could derail peace initiatives, especially concerning the unresolved Naga political issue.

While Meitei groups have largely welcomed the fencing project citing security concerns, the opposition from hill tribes underscores the complex ethnic dynamics and the deep-rooted cultural ties that transcend modern national boundaries.

As the Centre pushes forward with its strategic border fencing plan, the growing discontent among border communities may compel a reconsideration of how security infrastructure intersects with indigenous rights and regional harmony.