New Delhi: The Government of India has announced plans to erect a fence along the entire 1,643 km length of the India-Myanmar border.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed this initiative on Tuesday, stating, “It has been decided to construct a fence along the entire 1,643 km India-Myanmar border. To enhance surveillance capabilities, a patrol track will also be established along the border.”
Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to fortifying India’s borders under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“A 10 km stretch in Moreh, Manipur, has already been fenced. Additionally, two pilot projects employing a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) are underway, with one kilometer each being fenced in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Furthermore, plans to fence approximately 20 km in Manipur have also been approved, with work set to commence soon,” Shah elaborated.
The government has also launched the ‘Vibrant Village’ program for border villages, signaling a shift in perspective. Previously regarded as the last villages of the country, these border communities are now recognized as the first villages near the borders, in alignment with the policy of the Government of India.
Prime Minister Modi has underscored the importance of these border villages, likening them to the first and last rays of the sun, symbolizing their strategic significance.
The decision to fence the border is prompted by concerns over vulnerability and threats along the unfenced stretches, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Mizoram. Extremist groups operating from hidden bases in Myanmar’s Chin and Sagaing regions pose challenges for Indian security forces, necessitating robust border security measures.
Furthermore, trafficking of drugs and wildlife body parts across the porous border remains a significant concern. The decision is also influenced by the conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur in May 2023.
