The United Committee Manipur (UCM) has voiced grave concerns over the ongoing Indo-Myanmar border fencing, alleging that the project is encroaching upon Manipur’s territory. Speaking at the inauguration of the UCM Lamlai Unit office at Lamlai Keithel, UCM President YK Dhiren urged the people of Manipur not to remain silent during what he described as a critical moment for the state.

Addressing the gathering, Dhiren stated that the border fencing work being carried out by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) lacks transparency and has resulted in the loss of land belonging to Manipur. He alleged that under pressure from local residents in border areas, the fencing is advancing in a way that disregards ground realities and historical boundaries.

“This is not just about land; it is an attack on our rights and the very idea of Manipur,” Dhiren said. He added that the UCM, along with officials from the Surveyor General of India, the Manipur government, and BRO/BRTF, has repeatedly conducted field surveys to verify the exact coordinates and extent of the affected areas. The UCM also plans to organise a public observation tour to bring clarity to the situation on the ground.

Recalling Manipur’s merger with India in 1949, Dhiren expressed disappointment that the state’s rights and territorial integrity are now being compromised. He warned that addressing border issues unilaterally, without considering historical and local perspectives, would amount to a betrayal of the people’s trust.

Criticising the central government’s justification of the fencing as a measure to curb illegal migration and cross-border terrorism, the UCM President argued that such actions are inadvertently harming local populations. He further warned of a deepening crisis that has been escalating since 2023 due to the border issue.

The newly inaugurated UCM Lamlai Unit office will serve as a local coordination centre to mobilise public opinion, strengthen community ties, and facilitate grassroots engagement on key socio-political issues, including the border fencing.

The inauguration event was attended by prominent UCM leaders, including President YK Dhiren, Lamlai Unit Chairman Haobam Sitaljit, Secretary General Nahakpam Shanta, Secretary (Organisation) Dipanjit Ningthoujam, and Secretary (Finance) S. Brojen.