Northeast Desk, 9th May: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma expressed optimism regarding the exemption of the 510-km-long stretch of the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram from fencing, according to an official statement.
During an interaction with leaders of the Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) in Aizawl, Lalduhoma conveyed his hope that the Union government would maintain the existing Free Movement Regime (FMR) with Myanmar.
Lalduhoma informed ZORO members that he had discussed these matters with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging them to preserve the current status quo.
In response, ZORO, a Mizo group advocating for the reunification of Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi tribes, announced plans to hold peaceful rallies at Zokhawthar and Vaphai along the India-Myanmar border on May 16 to protest against the Centre’s decision to fence the border and end the FMR.
Mizoram shares a 510-km-long border with Myanmar’s Chin state, and Mizos have ethnic ties with the Chins. Over 34,000 people from Chin state are currently sheltering in different parts of Mizoram following a military coup in February 2021.
The Mizoram government, civil society organizations, and student bodies have vehemently opposed the Centre’s decision, fearing it will disrupt close contacts between ethnic communities of the two countries. The Mizoram Assembly passed a resolution on February 28 opposing the fencing of the India-Myanmar border and the abolition of the FMR.
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