4 - Means of Living: Ethnic border tribes and state institutions relations in Indo-Myanmar borderland

Presentation Abstract
This paper focuses on the Zo ethnic tribes of the Indo-Myanmar borderland in Moreh Manipur, who face economic marginalization. These tribes became transborder communities after India's independence, have their cultural and economic activities shaped by the state border policies and control. The study focuses on the relationship between the state and the border ethnic tribes in Moreh, Manipur, specifically their negotiation of trade and economic participation. Both the state and the people encounter challenges in implementing and adhering to policies. The paper emphasizes that borderlands cannot be comprehended solely through the lens of national security, administration, and state sovereignty. These issues extend beyond political geographical boundaries and impact various aspects of society, culture, language, and socio-politics. Additionally, the paper explores the role of agencies and policies in the lives of ethnic tribes in the borderland, as well as their adoption of methodological nationalism. By analyzing field narratives of cross-border informal trade, the study aims to understand how ethnic tribes have been marginalized in terms of trade practices and how their livelihoods are influenced by different state actors. It was observed that both the state and the border tribes have their own interpretations of trade, leading to negotiations between the tribes and state agencies in order to sustain their means of living.