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Free Movement Regime to end at Myanmar border

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Why in news?

  • As per the govt officials, the Union government is all set to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Myanmar border.
  • People living in border areas, who could cross over to India, will soon require visas.

What’s in today’s article?

  • Indo-Myanmar border
  • Free Movement Regime (FMR)
  • News Summary

Indo-Myanmar border

  • About
    • The Indo-Myanmar border runs for 1,643 km.
    • The States of Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km) have common border with Myanmar.
  • Demarcation of Indo-Myanmar border
    • Out of 1643 km, demarcation of 1472 km has been completed.
    • There are only two un-demarcated portions along Indo-Myanmar:
      • Lohit sub-sector of Arunachal Pradesh-136 km
      • Kabaw valley in Manipur – 35 km.
  • Security Concerns along the border
    • Secessionist movements
      • The movement for Greater Nagaland comprising of areas in both India and Myanmar has dramatically destabilised the border.
    • Support to insurgents and terrorists in India
      • Many of the Insurgents in the North Eastern States of India have ties with groups in Myanmar who provide political backing, economic assistance, logistic support, military training or arms supplies.
      • The porous border also helps provide safe havens to the insurgents.
    • Narcotics smuggling
      • India is located near the Golden Triangle of drug production in the East (Northern Thailand, Laos and Myanmar), which has resulted in rampant drug trafficking through the country.
      • Trafficking of synthetic drugs to and from Myanmar is a concern.
  • Border management
    • Security force along Indo-Myanmar border
      • Fondly known as “Friends of the North East People”, the Assam Rifles is deployed in the North East for guarding the Indo-Myanmar Border.
    • Modern Weapons for surveillance and border security
      • Modern weapons and equipment like Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR), Laser Range Finder etc. are being used for border security.
    • Border Fencing
      • In order to check the problem of infiltration, smuggling of contrabands and illegal activities in the Indo-Myanmar border area, the Government of India has initiated work to fence the area.
    • Comprehensive Border Infrastructure Project
      • To improve border infrastructure on India-Myanmar Border, a comprehensive border infrastructure project is being undertaken.
    • Integrated Check Posts (ICPs)
      • The government of India decided to set up Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) at major entry points on our land borders.
    • Border Area Development Programme (BADP)
      • Various developmental works in the border areas have been undertaken by the MHA under the BADP as part of a comprehensive approach to border management.

Free Movement Regime (FMR)

  • About
    • The Free Movement Regime is a pact between India and Myanmar that allows tribes living along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
    • The FMR was implemented in 2018 as part of the government’s Act East policy at a time when diplomatic relations between India and Myanmar were on the upswing.
      • In fact, the FMR was to be put in place in 2017 itself, but was deferred due to the Rohingya refugee crisis that erupted that August.
  • Rationale behind FMR
    • The boundary between India and Myanmar was demarcated by the British in 1826.
    • This effectively divided people of the same ethnicity and culture into two nations without seeking their opinion.
    • Hence, need was felt to enable ethnically similar communities living across the borders to move freely without the need of a visa.
    • The FMR was supposed to provide impetus to local trade and business.
      • However, it has been criticised for unintentionally aiding illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and gun-running.
  • Current status
    • However, the agreement has been defunct since 2020, first because of the Covid pandemic.
    • After the military coup in Myanmar in 2021 and the continued escalation of its refugee crisis, India suspended the FMR in September 2022.
      • After the military coup, there was an influx of undocumented migrants.
      • Over 40,000 refugees took shelter in Mizoram, and around 4,000 refugees are said to have entered Manipur.
      • The migrants belonging to the Kuki-Chin-Zo ethnic group share ethnic ties with communities in Mizoram and Manipur.

News Summary: Free Movement Regime with Myanmar

  • As per the sources in the government, Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar will end soon.
  • The Centre has decided to start the tendering for an advanced smart fencing system for the entire India-Myanmar border.

Key highlights

  • Rationale behind this step
    • Currently, FMR is used by insurgent groups to carry out attacks on the Indian side and flee towards Myanmar. This has to stop.
    • India also wants to put a brake on the influx of illegal immigrants, drugs and gold smuggling.
    • Earlier in September 2023, Manipur CM had urged the Centre to permanently wind up the FMR to curb illegal immigration.
  • Challenges
    • There are apprehensions that States such as Nagaland and Mizoram may oppose the move.
    • However, it should be noted that border security/management is in Centre’s domain.
      • It may take note of concerns of these states but the final decision is of the Union government.