- Behiang
Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Behiang| type = town | locator_position = left | state_name = Manipur
district =Churachanpur District
sub_division=Singngat
Behiang is a border village on the boundary ofIndia andBurma . With roughly 1000 size population, this village snakes for about 2 km. along the Tedim road. Majority of the local population belongs to theZou community. Other communities includeTedim (Chin ),Paite .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 ofTedim . A contingent of the Japanese army took this road which was then still under construction. So, theAllied 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 likeTonzang and Jangnuam.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 todrug traffikers through thisporous border .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 boostborder trade at thisIndo-Myanmar border .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.
References
* "Behiang in India" http://www.india9.com/i9show/Behiang-66258.htm
* "Bring back BSF" http://www.nenanews.com/OT%20Mar%2022-%20Apr%206,99/oh9.htm
* Google map of Behiang http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=behiang&sll=25.264568,93.878174&sspn=4.112589,7.250977&ie=UTF8&ll=25.165173,93.186035&spn=4.115947,7.250977&t=h&z=7&om=1&msa=0&msid=109566364607504684026.00000111e58a0b43aca64
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