Behiang

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  ?Behiang
Manipur • India
Coordinates: (find coordinates)
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
District(s) Churachanpur District

Behiang is a border village on the boundary of India and Burma. With roughly 1000 size population, this village snakes for about 2 km. along the Tedim road. Majority of the local population belongs to the Zou community. Other communities include Tedim (Chin), Paite.

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[edit] Ruins of World War II

Constructed during World War II, the Tedim road passes through this village, and it connects the Indian city of Imphal and the Burmese town of Tedim. A contingent of the Japanese army took this road which was then still under construction. So, the Allied Forces destroyed some bridges on the Tedim road in order to check the advance of the Japanese troops. Ruins of British built bridges still remain near Behiang and surrounding villages like Tonzang and Jangnuam.

[edit] BSF Camp, Behiang

Behiang had a regular camp of India's Border Security Force until recently. The Camp site is located on a lovely and commanding hill top over the left bank of the Tuivai river. It has been alleged that the removal of the BSF camp gives a free hand to drug traffikers through this porous border.

[edit] Unofficial Border Trade

Khenman is the nearest Burmese village from Behiang. For a number of decades, a brisk border trade has been carried out unofficially at this border village. Despite its potential, this bazaar village still lacks the infrastructure to develop into a booming commercial town. The Government of India recently attempts to improve and expand Tedim road that passes through Behiang. This will boost border trade at this Indo-Myanmar border.

[edit] Local Economy

Behiang has a strong network of mercantile families who live off the Indo-Burma border trade. Several others have family members working in the Indian army and a few in the State Govt. service. Yet more than half of the local population engages in agricultural labour - either swidden (jhum) or wet rice cultivation. All arable land along the Tuivai river have been brought under paddy cultivation. Food shortage during the lean season just before harvest usually is met by the surplus rice produced by Burmese jhum farmers.

[edit] References

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