The Zou Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have intensified their opposition to the ongoing India-Myanmar border fencing project, calling for an immediate halt to the construction work. Today, a delegation from the Zou CSOs visited Behiang Village in Churachandpur District to voice their strong objections against the border infrastructure development. The delegation engaged with representatives from the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF), Assam Rifles, local leaders, and the Behiang village chief, expressing their dissatisfaction with the project’s execution. The CSOs criticized the fencing project for its lack of transparency and alleged disregard for indigenous rights, arguing that it encroaches upon their ancestral lands with significant historical and cultural value.
The CSOs are demanding that construction be paused until there is increased transparency, thorough community consultations, and meaningful collaboration with the Behiang Area Chief Association. They contend that the current approach undermines the objectives of the “Act East Policy” of 2014, which is designed to bolster cross-border cultural and economic relations. The groups believe the fencing project contradicts the policy’s goals and could impede local development. Additionally, the CSOs have raised concerns regarding the motivations behind the project, citing delays in similar fencing initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram due to lack of central intervention.
They speculate that Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and Meitei radical groups may have ulterior motives that could limit their access to benefits under the Act East Policy. The Zou CSOs have issued an ultimatum to both central and state governments, demanding an immediate suspension of the fence construction. They have warned that further progress without addressing their grievances could lead to unrest, holding the government responsible for any potential conflicts or negative impacts arising from the project.
