New Delhi: In a significant move to strengthen border security, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on Tuesday that India will erect a fence along the entire 1,643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. This decision signals a departure from the existing Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the porous border.
The FMR, allowing individuals near the border to travel 16 kilometers into each other’s territory without documentation, is likely to be phased out with this move. Stretching across Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, the 1,643-km border saw the introduction of FMR in 2018 as part of India’s Act East policy.
Demand for border fencing has been vocalized by Meitei groups in the Imphal Valley, expressing concerns over tribal militants’ infiltration and alleged narcotics smuggling due to the unfenced boundary.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to securing borders, Amit Shah, in a statement on X, announced, “The Narendra Modi government has decided to construct a fence along the entire 1,643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. A patrol track will also be laid to enhance surveillance capabilities.”
Shah highlighted the completion of a 10-kilometer stretch of fencing in Moreh, Manipur, while two pilot projects featuring hybrid surveillance systems are underway in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, covering 1 kilometer each. Approval has also been granted for fence construction covering approximately 20 kilometers in Manipur, with work set to commence shortly.
This initiative underscores the government’s dedication to fortifying India’s borders and safeguarding the nation’s security and integrity. Stay updated for further developments on this critical endeavor.
