Smart fence along Myanmar border in the pipeline: govt.

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CategoryDefence

Last Updated11/10/2023

An advanced smart fencing system of 100 km along the Myanmar border is in the pipeline the 2022-23 as per annual report of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)
It is to strengthen the existing surveillance system

Unfenced border and unregulated migration from Myanmar have been attributed as some of the factors responsible for the ethnic violence in Manipur
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.
Free Movement Regime (FMR) exists between India and Myanmar.
Under the FMR the border can be crossed on production of a border pass (one year validity) issued by the competent authority and can stay up to two weeks per visit by :
- every member of the hill tribes, who is either a citizen of India
- a citizen of Myanmar
- resident of any area within 16 km on either side of the Indo-Myanmar border
The Manipur government has suspended the FMR since 2020, post COVID-19 pandemic.
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 construction of fencing for a border length of 10.023 km at Moreh, Manipur has been awarded to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

The terrain, socio-economic development and historical factors such as language, ethnicity, tribal rivalry, migration had resulted in a fragile security situation in the northeastern States.
This has resulted in violence, extortion and diverse demands by various Indian Insurgent Groups [IIGs] which maintain safe havens/camps in neighbouring countries.
A total of 16 insurgent organisations are declared “unlawful associations” or “terrorist organisations” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Eight of the unlawful groups are from Manipur.