Kuki Chiefs Rally Against Indo-Myanmar Border Demarcation

Khengjoi, August 11, 2026: A massive public rally was held at Khengjang and Molcham villages in protest against the proposed Indo-Myanmar border demarcation in the Khengjoi Sector of Chandel district, Manipur on August 11. The rally was organised under the aegis of the Affected Border Area Kuki Chiefs of Khengjoi Sector.

In a press note issued on August 10, the affected Kuki chiefs said they had learnt with “grave concern” that, following a meeting held on May 11, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Union Home Minister, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had directed that the demarcation process be completed within three months. The directive reportedly includes the realignment of several boundary pillars in the Khengjoi Sector.

The chiefs specifically raised objections to the proposed alignment concerning Boundary Pillar (BP) No. 65 at Molcham Village, BP No. 66 at Jangngoulen Village, BP No. 67 at Khumkot Village and BP No. 68 at Joldam Village. According to them, the proposed alignment does not correspond with the existing ground position that has long been recognised and occupied by their people.

Kuki Chiefs stated that the affected areas are not merely pieces of property for the local people, but comprise ancestral homesteads, jhum cultivation areas, wet-rice fields, burial grounds and customary commons. These lands, the chiefs said, form the basis of the livelihood and identity of the Kuki-Zo people living along the frontier.

The affected border-area Kuki chiefs maintained that the present boundary position should be retained, describing it as the only acceptable solution. They also expressed opposition to what they termed an “undemocratic move” by the government.

“We cannot accept this undemocratic move of the government. Not an inch of our land will be parted,” the press note stated.

The rally and the statement were issued by the Affected Border Area Kuki Chiefs of Khengjoi Sector, Chandel District, Manipur, through their Information and Publicity wing.