GUWAHATI: The Centre has instructed the state governments in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh to expedite the preparations for fencing of the India-Myanmar border.
The central government has shot off a letter to the chief secretaries of Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh as well as the director general of Assam Rifles on the matter.
In the letter, the Centre has stressed on the “need to expedite the preparation of DPRs for balance stretches in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur on priority”.
Notably, Arunachal Pradesh has a 480-km long stretch of unfenced border with Myanmar.
On the other hand, fencing of 243 kilometres of India-Myanmar border in Manipur is yet to be fenced.
“In view of the above, State Govts of Arunachal Pradesh & Manipur are requested to conduct meetings discussions/ survey with Assam Rifles, Border Roads organisation and other concerned department for finalising the locations/alignment of stretches along the Indo-Myanmar border for construction of fence.”
“In the matter, Assam Rifles is requested to provide necessary support for the same,” the letter stated.
It may be mentioned here that four Northeast states including Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur share a border with Myanmar.
The Mizoram assembly earlier this year adopted a resolution opposing the Centre’s decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
The Nagaland Assembly also passed a resolution urging the Centre to reconsider its decision to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the FMR between the two countries.