Reconsider withdrawal of Free Movement Regime, 5 Mizoram NGOs ask Centre

Syllabus: GS-III

Subject:  International Relations & Internal Security

Topic: India and its neighbourhood & North -East regional issues respectively

Issue: Free Movement Regime.

Context: Five non-government organizations in Mizoram have urged the Indian government to reconsider its decision to eliminate the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border.

Free Movement Regime

• The FMR allowed border residents of both countries (India and Myanmar) to travel up to 16 km within each other’s territory without needing a visa.
• It is important in maintaining ethnic and cultural connections among the Zo ethnic group residing on both sides of the border.
• The Mizos of Mizoram, Kuki-Zomis of Manipur, Chins of Myanmar, and Kuki-Chins of Bangladesh share ethnic ties, and the FMR played a crucial role in preserving these linkages.