An all-party delegation from Nagaland is set to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi to voice concerns over the Centre's decision to terminate the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar.
The decision was taken by the Nagaland Assembly on 7 March, amid growing apprehensions among the Naga community over its potential repercussions on cross-border ties.
The Free Movement Regime, introduced in 2018 under India's Act East policy, allowed people living along the India-Myanmar border to travel up to 16 km into each other’s territory without a visa.
However, the Central government announced in January 2024 that the arrangement would soon be revoked.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, addressing the Assembly, underscored the historical, social, cultural, tribal, and economic linkages between Nagas residing on both sides of the border.
He stated that discontinuing the FMR would severely affect these traditional ties and proposed leading a delegation to engage with the Union Home Minister at the earliest opportunity.
The House endorsed this suggestion unanimously.
Also read: Stricter rules at India-Myanmar border: Pass now mandatory in Mizoram
The delegation is expected to present concerns raised in resolutions passed on 1 March 2024, as well as Cabinet decisions from 8 February 2024 and 6 January 2025.
The India-Myanmar border spans 1,643 km, passing through the states of Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued fresh guidelines on 24 December 2023, restricting cross-border movement to within 10 km on each side and limiting access to 43 designated crossing points.
Entry would now require Border Passes issued by the Assam Rifles, with nine such points located in Nagaland.
The Chief Minister informed the House that the MHA had instructed the state government to deploy two police personnel and two health officials at each entry/exit point at the Assam Rifles’ company operating bases (COBs) for implementation.
Additionally, the state authorities were asked to monitor Myanmar nationals for compliance with Border Pass requirements and act against any unauthorised stay or activities.
Rio cautioned that ending the FMR would disrupt close familial ties between border communities, impede agricultural activities that necessitate cross-border movement, and affect access to healthcare and education.
He emphasised that such restrictions should be reconsidered on humanitarian grounds.
He further noted that the Nagaland government had repeatedly raised these concerns with the Centre and, after deliberations, the state Cabinet resolved to request the continuation of the FMR with suitable regulations.
A formal communication was sent to the Union Home Secretary by the Chief Secretary on 22 January.
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