NGO in Mizoram holds demonstration against fencing along Myanmar border, scraping of FMR

Aizawl: The NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) of Mizoram protested against the Centre’s plan to fence the India-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

NGOCC Chairman and Young Mizo Association President Lalhmachhuana expressed concern that the proposed fencing would impact trade and economy between India and Myanmar. He stated, “The FMR for many years facilitated cordial relations between the people living on both sides of the border.”

Lalhmachhuana emphasized that Mizo people strongly oppose both the fencing and the scrapping of FMR, which allows people to travel 16 km into each other’s territory without a passport and visa.

The NGOCC Chairman also pointed out that the proposed fencing will not solve the problems of smuggling and infiltration, as evident from the India-Bangladesh border. He urged the Union government to find an alternative solution.

Mizoram’s lone Rajya Sabha member, K Vanlalvena, and several MLAs from ruling and opposition parties participated in the protest. Vanlalvena had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, highlighting the history of Mizo people being forcibly settled in three countries by the British government.

Leaders of Myanmar, who sought shelter in Mizoram, also attended the protest. The NGOCC had previously urged the Union Home Minister to reconsider the decision to scrap the FMR and fence the India-Myanmar border.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who opposed the fencing and scrapping of FMR during meetings with top government officials, expressed optimism that the Centre may not fence the Mizoram portion of the India-Myanmar border.

The northeastern states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh share a 1,643-km-long border with Myanmar. The Mizos of Mizoram share ethnic, traditional, and cultural ties with the Zo-Chin community of Myanmar.