New Delhi: In a midday declaration on Thursday, the Union Home Ministry alluded to “internal security” concerns and advocated the cessation of the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime – a pact permitting citizens of both nations to traverse the border and journey up to 16km into the other country without the need for documents such as passports or visas.
Home Minister Amit Shah underscored, “It reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering commitment to fortify our borders. The Ministry of Home Affairs has resolved to eliminate the Free Movement Regime to ensure the internal security of the country and preserve the demographic structure of the north-eastern states.”
Earlier this week, Mr. Shah articulated India’s intention to encircle the entire 1,643-km Myanmar border as part of the Modi government’s strategy for establishing “impenetrable borders,” coupled with the construction of a patrolling track adjacent to the barrier.
Highlighting the progress made, the Home Minister revealed that a 10-km segment in Manipur’s Moreh has already been enclosed. Additionally, two pilot projects featuring a “hybrid surveillance system,” each spanning one kilometer, are presently operational.
The decision to suspend the Free Movement Regime and fortify the border comes in the wake of ethnic strife in Manipur last year, involving clashes between the Kuki-Zo tribes and the Meiteis. The former shares ethnic affinities with communities in Myanmar’s Chin State. The clashes resulted in nearly 200 casualties and the displacement of tens of thousands.
The Meiteis contend that the unchecked influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, facilitated by the Free Movement Regime over several decades, was a contributing factor to the violence. The Kuki-Zos refute this allegation, accusing Chief Minister N Biren Singh of inflaming the Meitei community for political gain.
Mr. Singh’s administration supports the abandonment of the Free Movement Regime and the fortification of the border, citing misuse of the policy by insurgents from Myanmar, as well as illegal immigrants and drug traffickers.
In a recent interview with NDTV, Mr. Singh laid blame on earlier administrations, without specifying the Congress, stating, “… the center at that time left us alone. There is (still) no security. There is Assam Rifles… but they can’t handle counter-insurgency and guard the border. And now we have militants…”
Government sources also disclosed that nearly 600 Myanmar Army soldiers have crossed into India in recent months, seeking refuge in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district after facing defeats against Arakan Army militants, an ethnic armed group in western Myanmar’s Rakhine.
However, Manipur’s neighboring state, Mizoram, has communicated its opposition to any move to revoke the Free Movement Regime or fortify the border. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, elected in November, contends that it is unjust for people of the same ethnic group on either side of the border to be separated.
Mizoram shares a 510-km-long border with Myanmar, Manipur 390 km, Arunachal Pradesh 520 km, and Nagaland 215 km.