The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): A major civil society group in Mizoram, the NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC), organized a peaceful demonstration in Aizawl to protest the Central Government’s proposal to construct a fence along the India-Myanmar border and abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR). The rally, held in front of Vanapa Hall, saw participation from Mizoram’s Rajya Sabha member K Vanlalvena, legislators from the ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) and opposition parties, and Nay Lin Aung, an exiled MP from Myanmar’s Mindat.
The NGOCC, comprising five major civil society organizations and student bodies led by the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), strongly opposes the proposed border fencing, particularly along the Mizoram section. They argue that the fencing will not effectively address issues like arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and infiltration, citing the India-Bangladesh border as an example. The group also highlighted the importance of the FMR, which allows ethnic kin from both sides of the border to travel 16 km into each other’s territory without a visa.
NGOCC chairman Lalhmachhuana alleged that the proposal to fence the border and scrap the FMR originated from Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s concerns about “illegal immigration” from Myanmar. He emphasized that the aspirations of one individual should not overshadow the needs of a larger population, considering it undemocratic.
The NGOCC stated that while they have no objections to fencing the Manipur section of the border, the same actions for the Mizoram section are unacceptable as it contradicts India’s Act East policy. The group has sent a memorandum to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging reconsideration of the decision.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma has also expressed strong opposition to the proposed fencing and support for retaining the FMR. He met Shah twice to convey Mizoram’s stance and suggested that if the Manipur side is fenced, the Mizoram section should be exempted.
Mizoram shares a 510-km-long border with Myanmar, part of the 1,643-km-long international border that Myanmar shares with four Indian states – Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Mizos have ethnic ties with the Chins of Myanmar, adding a cultural dimension to the border issue. This demonstration reflects the concerns of the Mizoram community regarding the impact of such border policies on their socio-cultural and economic interactions with Myanmar.
