Jagdamba Mall
Despite opposition from various shadow social groups patronized by divisive elements and political organizations in Nagaland against Centre’s move to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and erect fencing along the entire 1643 km long border between Bharatvarsh and Myanmar is appreciated by Naga civil society who are the worst victim of terrorism and drug-trafficking by militant organizations. The move will virtually end the Free Movement Regime (FMR) prevalent along the porous border. The FMR allows the people residing close to the Bharatvarsh – Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each – other’s territory without any document.
The 1643 km long international border between Bharatvarsh and Myanmar passing through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh currently has FMR. It was introduced in 2018 as part of Bharatvarsh’s Act East Policy of Modi ji but it was misused by anti-national militant organizations. Fencing along the border has been a persistent demand of the Imphal Valley based Meitei Manipuris which has been alleging that tribal militants often enter into Bharatvarsh through the porous border and run away into Myanmar after attacking the army and helpless civil society. The Meitei groups also allege that that narcotics are also being smuggled into Bharatvarsh taking advantage of unfenced international border. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Narendra Modi government is committed to building impenetrable borders and it has decided to construct a fence along the entire 1643 km border to facilitate better surveillance, a patrol track along the border will also be paved. The 10 km stretch of the border in Moreh in Manipur has already been fenced. Further, two pilot projects of fencing through a hybrid surveillance system are under execution. They will fence a stretch of one kilometer each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. In addition to this, fence work covering approximately20 km in Manipur has also been approved and the work will start soon.
Manipur shares around 390 km of border with Myanmar but only about 10 km has been fenced so far. In July 2023, the Manipur Government shared data that around 700 illegal immigrants entered the state. Besides, Mizoram has seen an influx of anti-Junta rebels in thousands since the military coup in Myanmar on February 1, 2021. According to government estimates, 32,000 illegal refugees from Myanmar including women and children are living in different parts of Mizoram. Mizoram shares a 510 km long border with Myanmar. Apart from Manipur and Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh shares a 520 km border with Myanmar and Nagaland shares a 215 km border with the country.
Delhi plans to terminate FMR along the Indo-Myanmar border and install fencing along the entire border, a project expected to be completed in the next four and half years. Individuals entering or crossing the border will be required to obtain a visa.
Citizens advised not to travel to Rakhine
Bharatvarsh on February 6, 2024 advised her citizens not to travel to Myanmar’s Rakhine state in view of deteriorating security situation. In an advisory, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) asked Bharatiya citizens who are already in Rakhine state to leave it immediately. It said, “In view of deteriorating security situation, disruption of means of telecommunication including landlines and severe scarcity of essential commodities, all Bharatiya citizens are advised not to travel to Rakhine state of Myanmar.”
Nagas In Myanmar
Due to faulty demarcation of boundary line on Northeastern frontier by Nehru, large portion of our country was left in China and Myanmar. Nagas in Myanmar are mostly found in Sagaing Division and Kachin state. Kabaw Valley of Manipur was also left to Myanmar. Major Naga ethnic groups left in Myanmar are 1. Konyak (Chen), 2. Nokko (Khiamungan), 3. Lainong (Htangan) 4. Makury, 5. Somra (Tangkhul), 6. Anal, 7.Moyon, 8. Para and 9. Tangshang.
The townships in Myanmar inhabited by Nagas are 1. Homalin, 2. Lahe with Tanbakwe sub-township 3. Layshi with Mowailut sub-township and Somra sub-township 4. Hkamti 5. Nanyun with Pangsau and Dunghi sub-township, 6. Tamu of Sagaing Division and 7. Tanai of Kachin state.
Transnational Militant Threats
Nagas of both sides of international border are converted to Christianity and churches are safe havens of armed militants. The militant groups hiding in Myanmar launch cross-border attacks into Bharatvarsh killing soldiers and civilians. Our army has responded by launching cross-border military incursions into Burmese territory. But militants disappear in the village and resurface again to attack our jawans. Thus, FMR was being misused by Naga Christian militants and general public appreciates the Modi’s decision to scrap it. This will check drug-trafficking as well. The FMR is responsible to a great extent for long-drawn Manipur violence. The scrapping of FMR has caused a wave of happiness and a sigh of relief in Manipur particularly among the Meitei Hindus who have been worst sufferer of violence and missionary menace started on May 3, 2023.
