Urgent Appeal: Reinstate Visa-Free Movement at India-Myanmar Border for Community Harmony in Mizoram
The Zo Re-unification Organisation (ZORO), a group representing the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi communities based in Aizawl, has called on the central government to reinstate the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that once allowed visa-free travel across the India-Myanmar border. This appeal follows the recent implementation of a new border pass system, which ZORO asserts complicates cross-border interactions for local residents.
ZORO President R. Sangkawia criticized the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for replacing the FMR with this new system as of January 1. This change, intended to regulate cross-border activity, mandates that individuals obtain a border pass from the Assam Rifles for stays of up to seven days. The pass system is restricted to residents within a 10-km range on either side of the border.
This policy shift will be rolled out in phases according to the MHA’s December 2024 communication to Mizoram’s chief secretary. Currently, two entry points at Zokhawthar and Hnahlan in Champhai district are operational, with plans to add three more in Lawngtlai district under Phase I. An additional thirteen crossing points will be introduced across six border districts in Phase II. To acquire the necessary pass, residents must present documents proving their residence within the specified border zone, such as certifications from local authorities.
The MHA maintains that the new border pass system is crucial for ensuring internal security and preserving demographic balance in India’s northeastern states adjacent to Myanmar. Nonetheless, Sangkawia warns of the negative effects on border communities, stressing that the FMR is vital for personal reasons such as family visits, tourism, business, medical needs, and cultural exchanges.
With inputs from PTI, this issue casts a spotlight on the delicate balance between security measures and the socio-economic needs of border communities.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/mizoram/story/mizoram-group-calls-for-reinstating-visa-free-movement-at-india-myanmar-border-1154916-2025-01-15?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-01-15 12:26:00
