KOMAN.CO.IN
In a measure to enhance the internal security, the Indian Government decided to put an end to the Free Movement Regime (FMR) all-along the Myanmar border covering unfenced 1,643-km long border. It passes through the north-eastern States – Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km).
Under FMR agreement, a member of hill tribe who may be citizen of either India or Myanmar, if his residence falls within 16 km of the border of either side, can pass the border by showing the pass issued, which is valid for one year. The pass holder can stay for about 2 weeks for each visit.
The free movement agreement was originally issued in the year 1968, allowing the hill tribe having residence on both the sides of the border up to 40 kms on either side of the border, however it was restricted to 16 kms in the year 2004. Mostly people live in Myanmar and work in India and there is no mechanism to check the over-stayed persons once he entered into the country.
As per the Manipur government, the recent ethnic violence is the result of the FMR and he welcomed the Union government move along with the north-eastern states. Meanwhile, the government has already started fencing the border and it has completed about 10 kms stretch in Manipur.
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