100-km smart fencing along Myanmar border in the pipeline to boost surveillance: Home Ministry

MHA plans to install advanced smart fencing system of 100 km along Myanmar border to strengthen existing surveillance system. 137 insurgency-related incidents registered in Manipur in 2022. Free Movement Regime (FMR) exists between India and Myanmar, suspended by Manipur govt since 2020. 10.023 km fencing at Moreh, Manipur awarded to BRO, scheduled to be completed by 2023. 16 insurgent orgs declared “unlawful” or “terrorist” under UAPA Act. MHA to install advanced smart fencing system of 100 km along Myanmar border to strengthen surveillance & curb illegal activities by insurgent groups. #India #Myanmar #Manipur #FMR #UAPA

An advanced smart fencing system of 100 km along the Myanmar border is in the pipeline to strengthen the existing surveillance system, the 2022-23 annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) published last week said.

Unfenced border and unregulated migration from Myanmar have been attributed as some of the factors responsible for the ethnic violence in Manipur that has claimed the lives of at least 175 people since May 3.

The report stated that in 2022, out of the 201 insurgency-related incidents registered in all the northeast States, as many as 137 incidents were registered in Manipur.

“Manipur is affected by the activities of Meitei, Naga, Kuki, Zomi, Hmar insurgent groups. A total of 23 UG [underground] outfits under two conglomerates [United Peoples’ Front [UPF] -8 and Kuki National Organisation [KNO] -15] are under Suspension of Operation [SoO] pact with the Government of India since August 2008,” the report said.

The MHA said that a Free Movement Regime (FMR) exists between India and Myanmar. “Under the FMR, every member of the hill tribes, who is either a citizen of India or a citizen of Myanmar and who is resident of any area within 16 km on either side of the Indo-Myanmar border can cross the border on production of a border pass (one year validity) issued by the competent authority and can stay up to two weeks per visit,” the report said. The Manipur government has suspended the FMR since 2020, post COVID-19 pandemic. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said on September 23 that he had urged the MHA to cancel the FMR along the Myanmar border and complete its fencing.

India shares a 1,643-km border with Myanmar which passes through Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km).

“Out of 1,643 km, demarcation of 1,472 km has been completed,” the report said.