Indo-Myanmar border demarcation work underway in Manipur: Sources

The Government of India has initiated ground-level demarcation of the Indo-Myanmar International Boundary in Manipur through the deployment of a Survey of India (SoI) team, according to official documents accessed by this publication. The move follows a series of high-level meetings and official communications involving the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), and the Survey of India.
As per a letter issued by the Deputy Secretary (INBM), Ministry of Home Affairs, on May 28, 2025, the decision to carry out the demarcation was taken during a meeting held on May 27, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Secretary (BM). The meeting was attended by officials from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Survey of India, Assam Rifles, and the BRO. The agenda included addressing the absence of subsidiary boundary pillars between main border pillars along the Indo-Myanmar Border in Manipur and finalising physical alignments in certain stretches.
According to the communication, several key border stretches in the districts of Tengnoupal, Chandel, and Churachandpur have been prioritised for field demarcation. The Survey of India was directed to fix alignment physically on the ground in coordination with the BRO and state authorities. The BRO has been tasked with assisting the survey team by installing wooden pegs to mark subsidiary boundary points, which are essential for facilitating upcoming fencing work along the border.
In a related letter dated June 2, 2025, the Director, Survey of India (Shillong), informed the Government of Manipur about the deployment of a field team led by Senior Surveyor Supriyo Das. The team was scheduled to begin fieldwork on June 5, 2025, with another team expected to join soon. The Director requested necessary logistical and administrative support from the state government to ensure smooth execution of the survey. This includes the provision of security, accommodation, jungle clearance, and additional manpower where required, particularly in unsettled or sensitive areas along the border.
The Manipur Home Department, in a subsequent letter dated June 11, 2025, directed senior officials including the Director General of Police, senior officers of Assam Rifles, Deputy Commissioners, and Superintendents of Police of the concerned districts to take all necessary steps to support the SoI team in the field.
These actions follow a review meeting held on May 14, 2025, chaired by the Joint Secretary (BM-I) of the MHA. During the meeting, officials had discussed progress on fencing, link roads to Assam Rifles outposts, and issues arising due to differing perceptions among border villagers, particularly in areas such as BP 81 to BP 85. It was noted that the lack of subsidiary pillars had created hurdles in clearly demarcating disputed or sensitive stretches of the international boundary.
Sources within the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the current initiative is aimed at resolving ambiguities in border alignment and establishing a clear, on-ground demarcation to facilitate infrastructure and security operations. The alignment process is being carried out jointly by central agencies and the Government of Manipur to ensure that the exercise is conducted in a coordinated and secure manner.