Mizoram CM opposes fencing of Indo-Myanmar border, discusses with centre

AIZAWL: Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma on Wednesday expressed optimism about the Centre exempting the 510-km long international boundary that Mizoram shares with Myanmar from being fenced.

During an interaction with leaders of Zo Re-Unification Organisation (ZORO) in Aizawl, Lalduhoma also expressed hope that the Centre may not lift the existing Free Movement Regime (FMR) with the neighbouring country.

Lalduhoma told the ZORO leaders that he had discussed the matters with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders at the Centre and he requested them not to seal the Mizoram section of the Indo-Myanmar border.

Also Read: Assam HS results to be declared today: How to check AHSEC class 12 results

He also said that he requested the Prime Minister and Home Minister not to scrap the existing FMR.

The Aizawl based- Zo Re-unification Organisation (ZORO), a Mizo group which seeks the re-unification of all Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi tribes of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar and bringing them under one administrative unit, said that it will stage peaceful rallies at Zokhawthar and Vaphai along the Mizoram-Myanmar border on May 16 to protest against the Centre's decision to fencing the Indo-Myanmar border and end the FMR.

The ZORO in January had held a demonstration in Aizawl and burned the effigy of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in protest against the Centre's decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and scrap the FMR.

Also Read: Assam: Nalbari DC Varnali Deka accused of harassing female ACS officer

Mizoram shares a 510-km long border with Myanmar's Chin state and the Mizos share ethnic ties with the Chins.

More than 34,000 people from Chin state are currently taking shelter in different parts of Mizoram, according to the state home department.

The Chin people fled their homes following a military coup in the neighbouring country in February 2021.

Mizoram government, civil society organisations and student bodies have strongly opposed the Centre's decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and lift the FMR because they believe that it will disturb close contact between ethnic communities of the two countries.

The Mizoram assembly on February 28 had passed a resolution opposing the Centre's decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and abolish the FMR.