For Northeast India's Stability, Home Ministry Focuses On Demographic Mapping And Fencing Along Myanmar Border

On Monday (30 December), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) stated that demographic data in Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur, particularly along the Myanmar border, needs to be charted. This mapping would aid in establishing a fence along the international border and curbing infiltration.

In the 2024 annual summary, MHA confirmed that the Ministry has chosen to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar. This decision was made to bolster the internal security of the nation and preserve the demographic composition of the Northeast states of India that share a border with Myanmar.

Despite MHA's announcement of suspending the FMR, on 6 December, they established a new protocol to control the movement of residents living within a 10 km radius, a reduction from the previous 16 km territorial limit, on both sides of the predominantly unguarded international border. This indicates that the FMR is still in effect.

The Hindu reported on 25 December that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the principal ministry, has yet to announce the notification terminating the FMR, a bilateral agreement with Myanmar. Myanmar has a predominantly unfenced border of 1,643 km shared with Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km), and Mizoram (510 km).

The annual summary from MHA indicated that the Modi administration has embarked on a journey to construct unity bridges in the Northeast, aiming to initiate an unparalleled period of peace. The report also stated that the Northeast is progressing on a course towards peace and prosperity.

The statement emphasised the necessity for comprehensive mapping of mineral, oil, and coal reserves in the Northeast states. This is due to the financial advantages they would gain from the royalties associated with these minerals.