Mizoram: NGOCC against sealing of India-Myanmar border and scrapping of FMR

The Committee also decided to hold talks with other states bordering Myanmar and to consider engaging in physical protests in response to the Center's decision

Hours after, Union Home Minister Amit Shah once again reiterated the Centre’s decision to completely fence the porous India, Myanmar border, the NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) of Mizoram has expressed its opposition to the move and the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) from the Indo-Myanmar border.

NGOCC held a meeting at the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) office to discuss the issues and decided to submit a memorandum to the Centre against the fencing of Myanmar border and disposition of the FMR.

The Committee also decided to hold talks with other states bordering Myanmar and to consider engaging in physical protests if necessary in response to the Center’s decision.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah yesterday took to twitter and said that the Centre has decided to construct a fence along the entire 1643-kilometre-long Indo-Myanmar border to facilitate better surveillance and ensure a patrol track along the border.

The Union Home Minister said that out of the total border length, a 10-kilometre stretch in Moreh, Manipur, has already been fenced.

Earlier, officials said that the Central government is also mulling to scrap the FMR with Myanmar in an effort to curb the influx of illegal migrants and insurgents.

The Union Home Minister had first made the announcement regarding sealing the India-Myanmar border on January 20 during an event in Guwahati, Assam.

The 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, spanning Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, currently operates under the FMR, which permits individuals living near the India-Myanmar border to travel 16 km into each other’s territories without a visa.

NGOCC is a group of NGOs that includes– Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), Mizo Students’ Union, Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizo Women’s Front and MUP or the Mizo Elders Association.

Also Read: It’s official: Centre to completely seal India-Myanmar border

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