Govt to suspend free movement along Myanmar border, key issue in Manipur conflict — ‘immigrant influx’

The free movement regime allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 kilometres inside the neighbouring country without a visa.

Army personnel and Assam Rifles check the vehicle on the national highway 37 in violence-hit Manipur | ANI file photo

New Delhi: The central government is set to suspend the free movement regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border to “stop the influx of illegal migrants”, ThePrint has learnt.

The FMR allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 kilometres inside the neighbouring country without a visa.

The FMR was implemented in 2018 by the Narendra Modi government as part of the “Act East” policy to provide an impetus to local trade and business.

However, amid ethnic clashes in Manipur that started on 3 May, the FMR has become a point of contention as local residents complain it is often misused and facilitates “illegal immigration, drug and arms trafficking”.

The alleged illegal migration of tribal Kukis into India from Myanmar via the FMR is one of the key issues being raised by local leaders in Manipur.

They allege that since the military coup in Myanmar on 1 February, 2021, large numbers of Myanmar’s tribals have crossed over to India — especially to Manipur and Mizoram — and stayed on illegally. It is alleged the tribals took shelter on Indian soil and then engaged in illegal activities such as drug smuggling.

“The FMR that started in 2018 was suspended several times in the past, including in 2020 during Covid, but now it is decided that it will be suspended,” a government source said.

This also means that people travelling to Myanmar from India and vice versa will require a visa. “We are working on the modalities,” the source added.

Fencing the border

The border between India and Myanmar is porous and runs for 1643 km through the four states of Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. It is entirely unfenced, barring a few kilometres.

However, the government has now started work on fencing over 300 km and the tender is at an “advanced stage”, the source said.

In Manipur, less than 5 km of the border is fenced.

“The work has begun in phases and we will ensure that it gets over fast. This border runs through difficult terrain, including lush forests. The tender is at an advanced stage and 300 km of fencing will be completed soon,” the source added.

(Edited by Tikli Basu)