Explained | What Is The Free Movement Regime Between Indo-Myanmar Border And Why Center Is Scrapping It?

The decision to abolish the 'free movement regime' along the 1,643-km Indo-Myanmar border was announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday.

The regime, which had been implemented almost five years ago to facilitate the people living in the border areas, has been scrapped.

When was the 'free movement regime' with Myanmar implemented?

The implementation of a free movement regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar occurred in 2018. Under this regime, every member of the hill tribes - whether a citizen of India or Myanmar and residing within an area within 16 km of the Indo-Myanmar border on both sides - could cross the border by producing a pass issued by the competent authority. This pass was valid for a year, allowing a person to stay for up to two weeks per visit.

Why was this system initiated?

Initially initiated in 2017, the Free Movement Regime (FMR) was deferred due to the movement of Rohingya refugees. It was later implemented again after illegal movement of people from Myanmar to India, especially in Manipur, was detected by government agencies. Additionally, the presence of militant groups taking shelter in Indian territory and smuggling activities of drugs, arms, and ammunition from Myanmar were also observed.

Why is the central government scrapping it?

The decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar has been made by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) due to internal security concerns. In a tweet, it was announced by Shah that the FMR between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India's North Eastern States bordering Myanmar.

Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR. Additionally, the step has been taken by the ministry in view of the ongoing unrest between Kuki and Meitei groups in Manipur.

In response to the situation in the violence-hit northeastern state, India has now decided to fence the border. In his post on X, formerly Twitter, it was also stated by the home minister that a fence will be constructed along the entire 1,643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border.

To facilitate better surveillance, a patrol track along the border will also be paved. It was added that a 10-km stretch in Moreh, Manipur, has already been fenced out of the total border length, and two pilot projects of fencing through a Hybrid Surveillance System (HSS) are under execution.

They will fence a stretch of 1 km each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Additionally, fence works covering approximately 20 km in Manipur have also been approved, and the work will start soon.

What does the Indo-Mayanmar Border look like?

The 1,643-km border between India and Myanmar, which traverses the states of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km), and Mizoram (510 km), has had 1,472 km demarcated so far. Plans are underway to install an advanced smart fencing system covering 100 km along this border in order to bolster the existing surveillance system.

The construction of fencing spanning a length of 10.023 km at Moreh has been entrusted to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Progress has been made in this endeavor, with 6.812 km already fenced.