Mizoram Member of Parliament (MP) K Vanlalvena, who is currently in New Delhi for the ongoing Parliament session, has penned a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, highlighting the strong objections of the people of Mizoram regarding the recent decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border. In the letter, Vanlalvena expressed serious concern and resentment on behalf of the Mizoram populace.
The MP began the letter by addressing the historical injustice imposed upon Mizoram during the British colonial era, where he said an international border was arbitrarily demarcated without proper ground survey and consideration for the ground reality. This unjust demarcation resulted in the forced settlement of Mizoram’s people in India, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), and Burma (now Myanmar). Despite gaining independence, this wrongly demarcated border persisted, causing ongoing grievances among the Mizoram people.
Vanlalvena informed the Home Minister that the decision to fence the Mizoram-Myanmar border came as a shocking development for the people. He emphasised that the proposed fencing would not only disrupt the historical and cultural ties between the people on both sides but also adversely affect their livelihoods. The withdrawal of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allowed people to cross up to 16 kilometers on both sides of the international border, is anticipated to create significant hardships for those settled on either side.
While acknowledging the government’s concerns about the cross-border smuggling of drugs, arms, and illicit goods, Vanlalvena argued that similar fencing measures along the Indo-Bangladesh border had not yielded fruitful results. He pointed out that despite such fencing on the Indo-Bangladesh border, smuggling activities still persisted, as evidenced by frequent interceptions by border guarding forces.
The Mizoram MP underscored the potential loss of over 500 kilometers of crucial fishing grounds and agricultural lands if similar fencing were implemented on the Indo-Myanmar side. Vanlalvena urged the Union Home Minister to reconsider the decision, saying that it would be in the best interest of the people of Mizoram.
The letter concluded with an earnest request for a review of the decision, taking into consideration the historical injustices faced by the Mizoram people and the potential adverse impact on their livelihoods and cultural ties. The MP hoped for a constructive dialogue to address the concerns raised by the Mizoram community.
