Manipur Governor Reviews Border Fencing Progress Along India-Myanmar Frontier
Manipurs Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla urges expedited border fencing efforts during a high-level meeting in Imphal.
Imphal, October 22 (Daily Kiran) : Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla of Manipur convened a meeting with senior officials on Thursday to assess the ongoing border fencing work along the India-Myanmar border. The meeting, held at Lok Bhavan, aimed to review the progress of this critical initiative.
During the session, Bhalla directed officials to accelerate the fencing efforts. Present at the meeting were Chief Secretary Rajiv Singh Thakur, Security Advisor Kuldeep Singh, Police Chief Mukesh Singh, State Home Commissioner N. Ashok Kumar, and Additional Chief Secretary.
Officials from the Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) and Assam Rifles, along with the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul, also attended. Additional Deputy Commissioners from Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal participated virtually. Colonel Dev, the commanding officer of the 25 BRTF, provided a detailed presentation on the progress of the fencing works.
Manipur shares a 398-kilometer unprotected international border with Myanmar across five districts: Churachandpur, Tengnoupal, Chandel, Kamjong, and Ukhrul.
Recently, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh emphasized the need for improved management and monitoring systems during a NITI Aayog meeting in New Delhi. He highlighted the necessity for joint action against drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and human trafficking along this lengthy border. Singh informed the commission that the Ministry of Home Affairs has completed 50 kilometers of border fencing to curb the illegal flow of weapons and narcotics.
He also announced that work has commenced on an additional 80 kilometers of fencing.
Due to its proximity to the Golden Triangle, a major area for illegal drug production encompassing parts of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, Manipur and Mizoram have emerged as key corridors for drug trafficking in Northeast India. The Golden Triangle has long been associated with the illicit production and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
The close proximity of Northeast Indian states to this region poses continuous challenges for security forces and drug control agencies striving to combat cross-border drug trafficking. Mizoram’s six districts and Manipur’s five districts share a 910-kilometer international border with Myanmar, much of which remains unfenced, making it vulnerable to smuggling and other illegal activities. The smuggled items often include highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, heroin, foreign cigarettes, fertilizers, and other prohibited products.
