Aizawl: The Zo Re-unification Organisation (ZORO), an Aizawl-based group representing the Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi community, has called on the central government to reinstate the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that previously permitted visa-free movement along the India-Myanmar border. The group also demanded the withdrawal of the newly implemented border pass system, which requires specific documentation for cross-border movement within a 10-kilometer radius.
Speaking to reporters, ZORO President R. Sangkawia expressed concern over the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) recent decision to replace the FMR with a border pass system, effective January 1. The new guidelines mandate residents to secure a border pass from the Assam Rifles for a stay of up to seven days. This change, according to Sangkawia, disrupts the daily lives of border communities, particularly those with familial and cultural ties on both sides.
The MHA’s December 2024 communication to Mizoram’s chief secretary outlined the phased implementation of the system. In Phase I, pilot entry points have been established at Zokhawthar and Hnahlan in Champhai district, with three additional points planned for Lawngtlai district. Phase II will expand the initiative to include 13 crossing points across six border districts. Residents seeking a border pass must present proof of residence within 10 kilometers of the border, verified by local police stations, village chiefs, or authorities.
While the MHA has justified the move as a measure to strengthen internal security and maintain demographic balance in northeastern states bordering Myanmar, ZORO has highlighted its adverse effects. The group argues that the border communities depend on the FMR for essential activities, including visiting relatives, conducting business, seeking medical treatment, and participating in cultural exchanges.
ZORO’s appeal underscores the importance of maintaining cross-border connectivity for the socio-cultural and economic well-being of border residents. The organisation has urged the central government to reconsider the policy, emphasizing that the FMR is crucial for preserving ties among communities with shared histories and traditions.