Kuki Inpi Chandel Opposes Reported India-Myanmar Land Exchange in Manipur’s Chandel

Imphal, August 8: The Kuki Inpi Chandel (KICdl) has strongly opposed any reported proposal to exchange territory between India and Myanmar along an undemarcated stretch of the international border in Manipur’s Chandel district, urging the Centre and the Manipur government to consult local communities before taking any decision.

In a press release issued on August 8, KICdl referred to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) statement of August 4 regarding ongoing discussions on unsettled sections of the India-Myanmar boundary and specifically raised objections to reports of a possible exchange involving around 1.4 square miles of territory between boundary pillars 65 and 68.

The organisation said the reported proposal concerned ancestral land and livelihoods of Kuki communities living in border villages, particularly in Khengjoi Sub-Division adjoining Myanmar’s Kabaw Valley.

KICdl maintained that any decision concerning border demarcation or a possible territorial adjustment should not be taken without the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous communities living in the affected areas.

The organisation's statement comes amid growing political and civil society concern in Manipur over reports of a possible territorial adjustment with Myanmar. The Centre, however, has not officially confirmed that any land-swap proposal is under consideration.

MEA confirms talks on unsettled border sectors

The controversy followed remarks by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a press briefing on August 4, when he said certain sections of the India-Myanmar border remained unsettled and that discussions on those areas were continuing.

The spokesperson did not confirm a proposal to exchange territory.

The issue was subsequently raised by Congress MLA Keisham Meghachandra, who sought a categorical explanation from the Centre over reports of a possible land exchange. In a statement on August 5, Meghachandra said the MEA's remarks had created questions over the scope of the ongoing discussions.

RELATED NEWS: Manipur MLA K Meghachandra Seeks Clarity on Reported India-Myanmar Border Land Exchange Discussions

He asked the Union government to clarify whether any adjustment or exchange of territory was being considered and, if so, disclose the areas affected, the objectives of the discussions and safeguards proposed by the government.

Meghachandra also sought clarity on whether the Manipur government and local stakeholders had been consulted and whether Parliament and the people of Manipur would be informed before any final decision.

The Congress MLA said any decision affecting Manipur's international boundary should involve due constitutional procedures and consultation.

Reported proposal concerns pillars 65 to 68

A report published by The Diplomat on July 17 had claimed that India was examining a proposal to complete demarcation of an unresolved section of the India-Myanmar boundary between boundary pillars 65 and 68 by exchanging around 1.4 square miles of territory.

The reported area lies in Chandel district, adjacent to Myanmar's Kabaw Valley in the Sagaing Region. The stretch between the three boundary pillars is approximately 2.8 kilometres.

According to the report published by NE Dispatch, The Diplomat cited an official document dated May 26, 2026, which stated that the demarcation exercise was expected to be completed within three months.

India and Myanmar share a 1,643-kilometre international boundary passing through Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram before extending into Myanmar's Sagaing Region and Chin State.

Around 1,472 kilometres of the boundary has been demarcated through boundary pillars, while nearly 171 kilometres remains unresolved, including sections in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit sector and Manipur's Kabaw Valley, according to information cited in the NE Dispatch report.

India has maintained that there is no broader boundary dispute with Myanmar, but that certain stretches involving boundary pillars remain unsettled and are being addressed through bilateral mechanisms.

KICdl says border land is tied to identity and heritage

KICdl said the border villages of Chandel, particularly those in Khengjoi Sub-Division, constitute ancestral lands of the Kuki people.

The organisation argued that border demarcation should not be treated merely as a technical exercise because any change could affect homes, agricultural land, sacred sites and the livelihoods of families living along the frontier.

It expressed concern that discussions involving the area's future were taking place without consultation with apex Kuki civil bodies, village chiefs and residents of Chandel district.

“Land is our Identity and Heritage,” the organisation said in its statement, asserting that the communities living in the border areas must be involved in decisions affecting their land and future.

KICdl also rejected the reported proposal involving approximately 1.4 square miles of territory, maintaining that ancestral land should not be treated as a commodity in negotiations between governments.

The organisation said any alteration of the existing situation could divide communities and displace families living along the undemarcated stretch.

Demand for transparent consultation

KICdl called on the governments of India and Manipur to halt any unilateral process concerning the disputed stretch and establish a transparent consultation mechanism involving KICdl, other Kuki civil society organisations and stakeholders from Chandel.

It also appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs and other authorities to protect the rights, history and concerns of border communities during the ongoing bilateral discussions.

The organisation said it would continue to stand with residents of the border villages and called on Kuki people and other concerned citizens to remain united and vigilant.

COCOMI, AMSU also seek clarity

The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) had earlier warned against any move involving the transfer of Manipur territory to Myanmar. Following the publication of the The Diplomat report, COCOMI said it would oppose the proposal if its contents were confirmed and implemented.

The All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU) has also demanded clarification from both the Centre and the Manipur government.

AMSU Secretary General Samandram Lanba Luwang said the organisation would not accept the reported proposal concerning the transfer of approximately 1.4 square miles of land.

The students' body called for the governments to publicly establish the facts surrounding the reported discussions and said the issue had generated serious concern because it involved Manipur's territorial integrity.

AMSU also said it was prepared to launch an agitation if the reported proposal was found to be genuine and the concerns of the people were not addressed.

Border issue follows fencing and FMR changes

The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of India's decision in 2024 to fence the entire India-Myanmar border and end the Free Movement Regime (FMR), under which residents living near the border could cross up to 16 kilometres into the neighbouring country with permits.

The fencing and FMR changes were linked to concerns over illegal immigration, insurgent movement and cross-border criminal activity.

The India-Myanmar boundary was defined under a 1967 bilateral agreement, although some sections remain unsettled.

Sensitive stretches in Manipur include the Molcham sector between pillars 64 and 68, the Moreh sector between pillars 75 and 79, and the Choro Khunou sector between pillars 88 and 95.

The unresolved section between pillars 65 and 68 therefore falls within one of the sensitive border sectors in Manipur.

No official confirmation of land exchange

Despite the concerns raised by political parties and civil society groups, the Centre has not officially confirmed that it is preparing to exchange Indian territory with Myanmar.

The MEA has only stated that discussions are continuing over certain unsettled sections of the India-Myanmar border.

For KICdl, however, the issue extends beyond technical demarcation. The organisation has linked the reported proposal to the identity, land rights and future of communities living along the Chandel border.

The organisation has therefore called for consultation with affected communities before any decision is finalised.

The issue is likely to remain sensitive in Manipur, where questions concerning the international boundary, territorial integrity, border security and the rights of communities living along the frontier have acquired heightened significance.