As part of efforts to ensure effective border affairs management, Myanmar will accomplish the construction of a fence along the border area with India that falls within the country’s Naga Self-administered Zone, according to an official announcement of Myanmar’s foreign ministry on January 9. The border fence project is situated in Pangsha village, Lahe Township 10 metres from the demarcation line between India and Myanmar. The fencing, designated to cover a length of 750 metres, is expected to cordon an area of around 3,500 acres where several indigenous peoples including Chins, Kukis and various Naga tribes reside.
The plan has attracted objections from the resident ethnic groups who fear that the completed fence would bar their reciprocal visits among the families as members of the same tribal clans inhabit on both sides of the border areas between the two countries. A group of Naga civil society organisations based in Myanmar issued a statement on January 6 to oppose the fencing work which is worried to shutdown the customary inter-relations of the trans-border living communities.
Myanmar’s primary motive for the fence is to prevent probable construction of incomer settlement buildings in its territory. The foreign ministry said on January 9 that there was no intention to confine the regular travel of peoples at both sides authorised on account of their traditional customs, adding that the aim was to make border management more effective.
Although Myanmar government has already finished procedural discussions with the Indian side on the undertaking, it has been criticised by the most concerned inhabitant groups for making no consultation with them, insisting that the act constitute “direct violation against the rights of indigenous peoples”.
India said it will not involve in the construction of the fence and will not be building similar border fence in its territory.
