Militants have disrupted fence construction along the Indo-Myanmar border with explosive devices planted at sites, cut fences and stolen equipment over the past two months, officials familiar with the matter said, adding that the unrest has slowed progress.
The Border Roads Organization, which is monitoring the project, has fenced no more than 30 kilometers of the 1,643-kilometre border, officials said. While the Assam Rifles provided security to the workers, cross-border militants used various tactics to stop the work. “Between February 1 and 18, at least 11 IEDs were discovered buried along the border in Manipur’s Tengupal district. They were buried to deter officials from carrying out construction work. In Chandel district, the border fence was cut twice in December last year. On August 14, 15 border fence posts were also cut down in Tengupal. Equipment that was at the site at that time was also reported stolen,” an officer said, explaining How armed groups use different methods of operation. To deter those responsible from continuing construction.
Erecting a fence on the Indo-Myanmar border – to curb militant infiltration, refugee influx and drug and arms smuggling – is a major project of the Union Home Ministry. Groups based in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram are objecting to the action. The border passes through Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur.
“The Home Ministry held a meeting with the influential civil society group in Mizoram, the Young Mizo Association, on January 27. Four members of the YMCA, who were part of the delegation, conveyed the concerns of people living in Mizoram areas along the Indo-Myanmar border. Issues related to commencement of construction work and land acquisition were discussed. But sabotage and violence committed by militants have only been reported in Manipur so far. Currently, troops are facing problems in some areas Manipur like Tenjupal. “Other places in Manipur like Churachandpur have not reported any disturbances related to construction work,” a senior security force official said.
