Mizoram CM urges Centre to reconsider border fencing decision

Aizawl: Mizoram chief minister Lalduhoma on Saturday reiterated that his government is opposed to the proposed fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border.

During an interaction with leaders of the NGO Coordination Committee (NGOCC) in Aizawl, Lalduhoma said that the present Indo-Myanmar border was imposed on the Mizos by the British through a divide-and-rule policy and the border has divided the Mizo tribes, who have been separated into two countries. 

He said that the Mizos both living in India and Myanmar still dream of re-unification under one administrative unit.

The chief minister also said that his government wanted the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar to continue to exist.

He said that he met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on two occasions in January and February and told him about Mizoram's stand on Indo-Myanmar border fencing and lifting of the FMR.

He said that he had urged the Home Minister not to construct a fence on the Mizoram side even if the Manipur side of the Indo-Myanmar border is to be fenced.

Lalduhoma expressed optimism that the Centre may not fence the 510-km long Mizoram-Myanmar border.

Meanwhile, NGOCC said that it will hold a demonstration in Aizawl on February 21 to register a protest against the Centre's decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and scrap the FMR.

NGOCC is a conglomerate of five major civil society organisations and student bodies, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA) and Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP).

The committee had earlier sent a memorandum to the Union Home Minister urging the Centre to reconsider its decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and end the FMR.