Why is it in the News?

The Centre has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar Border (IMB), which was implemented in 2018 as part of India’s Act East policy.

What is the Free Movement Regime?

• The FMR is a mutually agreed pact between India and Myanmar that allows tribes dwelling along the border on either side to travel up to 16 km inside the other country without a visa.
• The members of hill tribes have to produce a border pass, which is valid for a year and can stay in the other country for about two weeks per visit.
• The FMR was introduced in 2018 as part of the government’s ‘Act East Policy’ when relations between India and Myanmar were on the rise.
• The agreement aimed to facilitate people-to-people ties between the countries as residents in the region enjoy strong ethnic and familial relations on both sides of the border.
• The FMR was also brought to provide impetus to local trade and business.
• Originally planned for 2017, its implementation was delayed due to the Rohingya refugee crisis that emerged in August of that year.

Background and Purpose:

• The boundary delineation by the British in 1826 separated people of the same ethnicity and culture into two nations without their opinion.
• The FMR sought to address this historical division, allowing ethnically similar communities across borders to move freely without visa requirements.
• Initially designed to boost local trade and business, the FMR has faced criticism for inadvertently facilitating issues such as illegal immigration, drug trafficking, and gun-running.

Why it is being removed?

• India and Myanmar share a mostly unfenced border.
• The IMB goes through forested terrain which is difficult to monitor.
• In Manipur, just 10 km of its border with Myanmar is fenced.
• Mizoram has a 510-km-long porous border with Myanmar.
• Nagaland shares a 215 km boundary with the Southeast Asian nation and
• Arunachal Pradesh has a 520 km-long boundary with Myanmar.
• Since the ethnic conflict erupted in Manipur last year, the free movement regime has come into the spotlight.
• The Meiteis have blamed the illegal migration of tribal Kuki-Chin peoples from Myanmar for stirring up tensions in the state.
• On the other hand, the Kukis in Manipur have accused the Meiteis and Chief Minister N Biren Singh of using this as an excuse for “ethnic cleansing”.
• The alleged illegal migration via the FMR has emerged as a key issue between local leaders in Manipur.
• The FMR was suspended several times in the past, including in 2020 during COVID-19.
• Since the military coup in Myanmar on 1 February 2021, a large number of tribals fleeing violence in their country have crossed over to India, especially into Manipur and Mizoram.
• Over 40,000 refugees belonging to the Kuki-Chin-Zo ethnic group took shelter in Mizoram, while about 4,000 migrants are said to have entered Manipur.
• There are allegations that these refugees took shelter on Indian soil and then got involved in illegal activities such as drug smuggling.

Is ending FMR the solution?

• Many insurgent groups such as the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA), the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), and small groups of Kukis and Zomis have constructed camps in Myanmar’s Sagaing Division, Kachin State and Chin State.
• “They took shelter there, obtained arms, trained cadres, and, most importantly, engaged in illegal activities such as smuggling drugs and selling weapons to raise funds.
• This is possible because of the porous borders and frequent misuse of FMR.
• Therefore, managing and administering the border areas effectively is pertinent for reducing drug trafficking and illegal cross-border movement on unfenced borders.

Conclusion

The Indo-Myanmar border, spanning 1,643 km, presents challenges related to secessionist movements, insurgency, and narcotics smuggling. Neither cancelling the FMR nor completely fencing the border is the solution as it could affect livelihoods, education and essential travel for health care. It is imperative for India to tackle the issue by pursuing the ‘killing the snake without breaking the stick’ stance. A collaborative and multifaceted approach is crucial to addressing these challenges and ensuring stability in the region.

Indo-Myanmar Border:

• The Indo-Myanmar border spans 1,643 km, with Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km), and Mizoram (510 km) sharing common borders with Myanmar.
• Demarcation of the Border: Approximately 1,472 km of the border has been demarcated, leaving only two sections unmarked:
• Lohit sub-sector in Arunachal Pradesh (136 km) and
• Kabaw Valley in Manipur (35 km).

Security Challenges

• Secessionist Movements: The Greater Nagaland movement, encompassing areas in both India and Myanmar, has heightened instability along the border.
• Support to Insurgents: Insurgents in India's Northeastern states maintain ties with groups in Myanmar, offering political support, economic aid, logistics, military training, or arms supplies.
• Narcotics Smuggling:  Proximity to the Golden Triangle, a hub for drug production, contributes to rampant drug trafficking, with concerns about synthetic drug trafficking to and from Myanmar.

Border Management

• Security Forces: The Assam Rifles, known as the "Friends of the North East People," safeguards the Indo-Myanmar border in the North East.
• Modern Surveillance Equipment: Modern tools like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Battlefield Surveillance Radar (BFSR), and Laser Range Finders enhance border security.
• Border Fencing: To curb infiltration and illegal activities, the Indian government is implementing fencing measures along the Indo-Myanmar border.
• Comprehensive Border Infrastructure Project: A comprehensive project aims to enhance infrastructure on the India-Myanmar border.
• Integrated Check Posts (ICPs): Major entry points on land borders are designated as Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) for efficient management.
• Border Area Development Programme (BADP): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) undertakes various developmental initiatives under the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) for a holistic approach to border development.