India Plans Border Fence With Myanmar, Ends Free Movement

The decision to fence the border along Myanmar to restrict free movement into India has been announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The announcement comes in response to a significant number of Myanmar soldiers fleeing into India to escape ethnic clashes.

Photo Credit: PTI

"India's border with Myanmar will be protected like the border with Bangladesh," stated Amit Shah during the passing out parade of Assam Police commandos.

In the last three months, nearly 600 Myanmar Army soldiers have crossed into India, seeking refuge in Mizoram's Lawngtlai district after their camps were captured by the Arakan Army (AA) militants-an ethnic armed group in the western Myanmar state of Rakhine, as per government sources.

The Free Movement Regime (FMR) between the two countries will be discontinued with the installation of a fence along the border. A visa will soon be required for people living in border regions to enter the other country.
The FMR, initiated in the 1970s, facilitated the movement of people along the India-Myanmar border due to familial and ethnic ties.

What's Happening In Mizoram?

Earlier today, an appeal was made by the Mizoram government to the Centre, urging swift action to ensure the return of soldiers from the neighbouring nations.

As the conflict intensifies between rebel forces in Myanmar and the junta regime, India is witnessing an influx of hundreds of Myanmar Army personnel seeking refuge.

The generals of Myanmar are encountering their most significant challenge since the power seizure in a 2021 coup, as three ethnic minority forces launched a coordinated offensive in late October. This offensive resulted in the capture of some towns and military posts, compelling soldiers to flee.