Context and Background
- Free Movement Regime (FMR): Introduced in 1968 to allow unrestricted movement of border communities (40 km initially, reduced to 16 km in 2004).
- Government’s Plan: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in February 2024 that FMR would be scrapped, but no official notification or bilateral agreement has been made.
- State Responses:
- Manipur: Former CM N. Biren Singh pushed for scrapping, citing ethnic conflict and illegal migration concerns.
- Mizoram & Nagaland: Opposed the decision, highlighting socio-economic and ethnic ties across the border.
Relevance : GS 2(International Relations)
Impact of FMR on Border Communities
- Economic & Social Ties:
- Border communities historically traded and interacted freely even before FMR.
- Movement of goods and people has strengthened local economies.
- Ethnic & Familial Connections:
- The border was drawn without local consent; many communities share ancestry and cultural heritage across the border.
Security Concerns & Cross-Border Crimes
- Government’s Justification for Scrapping FMR:
- To curb illegal migration and cross-border crimes (drugs, gold, areca nuts smuggling).
- Criticism of This Approach:
- Border Area Development Programme (BADP) increased military presence, but smuggling persists.
- Scrapping FMR may not significantly impact security concerns.
Feasibility of Border Fencing
- Challenges:
- Geographical Complexity: Myanmar-India border is ~1,700 km long, with difficult terrain.
- Community Resistance: Many border residents oppose fencing, fearing loss of access and livelihoods.
- Historical Parallels: Similar fencing in advanced nations like the US has proven ineffective.
- Alternative Approach Suggested:
- Strengthening customs and local monitoring mechanisms rather than fencing.
Potential Political Fallout
- Threat of Renewed Homeland Demands:
- Fencing could reignite separatist demands in border states (e.g., Frontier Nagaland, ethnic Chin-Mizo unity aspirations).
- Fear of land alienation due to Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023, which allows strategic projects within 100 km of borders.
Possible Alternatives & Way Forward
- Henry Zodinliana Pachuau’s View:
- Fencing is not a practical solution; better border monitoring is needed.
- Legalizing border trade could benefit India economically while regulating goods movement.
- Likhase Sangtam’s View:
- FMR in its current form cannot continue indefinitely, given Myanmar’s instability.
- Public awareness & consensus-building are crucial before implementing major policy shifts.
Conclusion
- Scrapping FMR without a robust alternative could disrupt ethnic ties, trade, and stability.
- A balanced approach:
- Regulate rather than eliminate FMR.
- Enhance border monitoring.
- Strengthen legal trade to curb smuggling.
- Involve local communities in decision-making.
