Manipur border tension: 16 Kuki village chiefs protest boundary fencing; call for immediate suspension of work

NEW DELHI: Sixteen Kuki village chiefs along the India–Myanmar border have announced a “non-cooperation” stance in protest against ongoing border fencing, demanding an immediate halt to all activities until the political demands of the Kuki-Zo community are addressed.

In a joint statement, the chiefs said that rallies have been held and memorandums submitted to relevant authorities opposing both the construction of the border fencing and the proposed scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

“In the interest of the Kuki Zo people, we are compelled to declare our non-cooperation by not claiming land compensation or entering into negotiations until our political demand is met and normalcy returns to the state,” the statement read.

Kuki organisations have long sought a separate administrative setup for their community, a demand strongly opposed by the Meitei community, which insists on maintaining the territorial and administrative integrity of Manipur.

Manipur shares a 398-km-long international border with Myanmar, of which 10 km of fencing has been completed, officials said.