Infiltration Along India’s Borders

Why is this in News?

• Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed Lok Sabha about:
  • 878 infiltrators apprehended along the India–Myanmar border in the last two years.
  • Status of border fencing across Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Pakistan borders.
  • Update followed:
    • Manipur ethnic violence (since 2023).
    • Government decision to regulate (not fully scrap) the Free Movement Regime (FMR).

Relevance

GS III – Internal Security

• Border management challenges: porous borders, insurgency, illegal migration.
• Internal security implications of India–Myanmar border instability.
• Terrorism, arms trafficking (Pakistan border).
• Role of forces: Assam Rifles, BSF.

Border Infiltration: Basic Understanding

• Infiltration:
  • Unauthorized cross-border movement of persons.
  • Motivations include:
    • Illegal migration.
    • Ethnic conflict spillovers.
    • Insurgent movement.
    • Economic distress.
• India shares porous land borders with:
  • Myanmar (Northeast).
  • Bangladesh (East).
  • Pakistan (West).

India–Myanmar Border: Key Facts

• Total length: 1,643 km.
• Terrain:
  • Dense forests, hills, poor connectivity.
• Fencing status:
  • Only 9.2 km fenced so far (<1%).
• Infiltration trend (2014–2025):
  • Sharp rise post-2021 Myanmar coup and post-2023 Manipur violence.
  • Annual arrests rose from double digits → 400+ in 2024–25.

Free Movement Regime (FMR): Basics

• Introduced: 2018.
• Purpose:
  • Facilitate movement of ethnically linked border communities (Naga, Kuki-Chin groups).
• Original provision:
  • Visa-free movement up to 16 km across border.

Recent Changes in FMR (Regulation, Not Abolition)

• Announcement (Feb 2024):
  • Entire Myanmar border to be fenced.
  • FMR to be scrapped (political intent).
• Actual implementation (Dec 2024):
  • FMR regulated, not abolished.
  • Key changes:
    • Movement limit reduced: 16 km → 10 km.
    • 43 designated entry–exit gates notified.
    • Introduction of:
      • Gate passes.
      • Biometric registration.
• Rationale:
  • Balance security concerns with humanitarian & ethnic sensitivities.

Bangladesh Border: Infiltration Snapshot

• Border length: 4,096.70 km.
• Fencing status:
  • 79.08% fenced (3,239.92 km).
• Arrests:
  • 2024: 2,525
  • 2025: 2,556
• Nature of infiltration:
  • Economic migration.
  • Illegal stay beyond permits.
• Not primarily insurgency-driven.

Pakistan Border: Snapshot

• Fencing status:
  • 93.25% fenced.
• Remaining unfenced:
  • Difficult terrain (riverine, marshy).
• Infiltration nature:
  • Terrorism-centric.
  • Arms & narcotics trafficking.

Security Implications

• Internal Security  :
  • Nexus between:
    • Illegal migration.
    • Insurgency.
    • Ethnic violence (Manipur).
• Demographic stress:
  • Local resource competition.
  • Ethnic balance concerns.
• Governance challenges:
  • Law & order.
  • Refugee vs infiltrator distinction.

Government’s Border Management Strategy

• Physical measures:
  • Accelerated fencing.
  • Smart fencing (sensors, surveillance).
• Administrative measures:
  • Regulated FMR.
  • Biometric identification.
• Institutional mechanisms:
  • Assam Rifles (Myanmar border).
  • BSF (Bangladesh & Pakistan).
• Policy shift:
  • From open-border pragmatism → security-first approach.

Challenges

• Terrain constraints in Northeast.
• Ethnic ties across borders.
• Humanitarian concerns (refugees vs illegal migrants).
• Diplomatic sensitivity with Myanmar.

Opportunities & Way Forward

• Integrated Border Management System (IBMS).
• Technology-driven surveillance (drones, AI).
• Clear refugee policy framework.
• Border-area development to reduce local collusion.
• Diplomatic engagement with neighbours for coordinated border management.

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