Imphal: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla reviewed the progress of the Indo-Myanmar border fencing project at a security meeting at Lok Bhavan on Thursday. The meeting discussed the timely completion of the Rs 31,000-crore Central government project.
The review followed a field visit on October 21, when Manipur DGP Mukesh Singh and senior police and Border Security Force (BSF) officials visited Kamjong district to assess the law and order situation.
The security measures come as the Centre moves to replace the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with a system requiring biometric checks within a 10-kilometre zone along the border.
During Thursday’s meeting, Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) Commanding Officer Col. Dev presented an update on the project’s progress. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is responsible for the construction work.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Security Advisor, DGP, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Commissioner and senior officials from the Assam Rifles and BRTF.
The Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul and Additional Deputy Commissioners of Churachandpur, Chandel and Tengnoupal also provided updates from their respective districts.
The project covers 1,643 kilometres of the international border across four northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Mizoram (510 km), Manipur (398 km) and Nagaland (215 km). Authorities have demarcated 1,472 kilometres, while around 171 kilometres remain unresolved due to legal or physical difficulties. These include disputed stretches in Manipur’s Chandel district.
So far, 9.214 kilometres of fencing and parallel patrol roads have been completed in the Moreh sector. The BRO is also carrying out approved works covering another 20.862 kilometres.
Meanwhile, the Assam Rifles is testing a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) for virtual fencing through two pilot projects, each covering one kilometre, in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The trials will precede a planned expansion of the electronic surveillance system across 83 kilometres.
The security review followed meetings in Kamjong district, where the DGP and joint security forces held coordination discussions with the 11 Assam Rifles and the BSF.
They also met representatives of Kuki and Naga civil society organisations (CSOs) and assured them of government support to restore peace in the region.
Officials said the Rs 31,000-crore border fencing project continues to face several challenges, including difficult terrain, delays in land acquisition, opposition from Naga and Mizo groups, and occasional militant attacks along the border.