If the Indian Central Government will fence along the India-Myanmar border and will end the Free Movement Regime (FMR), it may impact on the Myanmar war refugees who have arrived in India, according to Myanmar war refugees in India.
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah announced on January 19, “The central government will fence along the India-Myanmar border, similar to the one along the India-Bangladesh border, and will end the Free Movement Regime (FMR)”.
Mizoram Chief Minister Shri Pu. Lalduhoma said if the central government makes a fence and end the Free Movement Regime (FMR), the Mizoram government will not be able to stop it, the Mizoram media reported.
“I am worried. There are many difficulties affected by the fence and end of FMR. For example, due to fighting, those war refugees can now easily enter Mizoram, and can trade freely, but it may become difficult because of this,” Richard, a resident of Mizoram, told MPA.
Non-Government Organizations including powerful the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and the Mizo Students’ Union (MZP- Mizo Zirlai Pawl) are reportedly protesting against the plan to end the FMR, fencing along Myanmar-India border by the Central Government.
In addition, the Mizo Students’ Union (MZP- Mizo Zirlai Pawl) reportedly sent an open letter to the Prime Minister of India on January 22, objecting to the central government’s plans to make the fence and end the visa-free border crossing (FMR).
“Mizo and Chin are brotherhoods. Mizoram also likes free movement and friendship with Chin people. If this happens, there may be difficulties in bilateral relations and transportation, so all Mizoram NGOs are against this. Currently, it is a situation to be monitored,” Ko Richard added.
During the fighting in Chin State, hundreds of the junta troops had frequently fled in India’s Mizoram State many times. After that, the central government of India has planned to make a fence, according to residents in Mizoram.
Myanmar war refugees reportedly live in Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland States and some of them also live in refugee camps established by the State Government, and some rent houses in village and town.
“We are worried about those refugees who are in Manipur State. It is not sure yet what the Mizoram government will do. The central government has also asked them to collect biometric data,” a Myanmar woman living in Manipur told MPA.
The Chief Minister of Mizoram said on January (6), not to concern the Myanmar war refugees regarding the collect of biometric data by the India’s central government, and this collecting data is not to repatriate those refugees, and they have received an assurance from the central government that they will not be sent back those refugees until Myanmar’s affairs stabilize, according to investigation.
Translator: Grace