A signage with ‘You Are Now Leaving India’ message is seen in this picture taken from the Myanmar side of the international border at International Trade centre (ITC), DAN in Pangsha, under Noklak district of Nagaland. (Morung File Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 6
Nagaland Chief Minister, Dr Neiphiu Rio, today proposed an Assembly resolution addressing the Free Movement Regime (FMR) issue.
The proposal came during discussion on the issue after it was raised by MLA A Nyamnyei Konyak in a starred question at the ongoing the 6th session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Dr Rio recalled that he had previously highlighted the FMR issue at the recent North Eastern Council meeting while the State Cabinet, in its meeting on January 6, 2025, acknowledged the need to appeal to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to review both the Protected Area Regime and the FMR.
He further revealed that relevant documents had been forwarded to the MHA; however, there has been no response from the ministry till date.
Stressing that the FMR affects the entire state, Dr Rio suggested that the Assembly pass a resolution to collectively convey the concerns of all 60 members to the MHA.
The State legislators and ENPO (Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation) members can also meet the MHA to push the matter forward, he suggested.
Current status of movement
Earlier, in written reply to MLA Nyamnyei on the status of FMR, Deputy Chief Minister, Y Patton stated that Free Movement of Indian and Myanmarese Nationals across the Indo-Myanmar border has been regulated by Government of India dated December 24, 2024.
The Government of India has issued instructions allowing the cross-border movement of people residing in the “Border Area” i.e., within 10 kms on each side of the Indo-Myanmar Border, the reply said.
A few of the conditions laid down by the said letter include-Movement of people to be through the 43 designated crossing points and to be granted to holders of “Border Pass.”
In Nagaland, nine border crossing points have been designated in the four districts of Kiphire (3 points), Meluri (2 points), Mon (2 points) and Noklak (2 crossing points), he added.
The entry/exit points are located at the Company Operating Bases of Assam Rifles, with the deployment of at least two police personnel and two health officials, he added.
The ‘Border Pass’ has be issued by authorised representative of Assam Rifles and would entitled “single entry of person” for stay up to seven days at a time within 10 kms of the Indo-Myanmar Border, the reply added.
Patton stated that MHA has requested the Government of Nagaland to undertake checking of Myanmar nationals for their border pass and take appropriate action on their overstay/any other unauthorized activity.
‘No fencing work orders issued in Nagaland’
Meanwhile, the Deputy CM clarified that no work order for construction of fencing within Nagaland has been issued by the State Government.
Queried on whether any official discussion with regard to FMR was held with the GoI, he informed that after the January 6, 2025 State Cabinet meeting “thoroughly discussed the matter and entrusted the Chief Secretary to inform MHA to continue the FMR. The Chief Secretary has conveyed the same in a letter to the Secretary, MHA, he added.
Earlier in January 2024, the State Cabinet also decided to request the Central Government to continue the FMR and also enact appropriate regulations and lay down processes for movement of people across the borders in close consultation with the people inhabiting the border areas, Patton said.
It also called for suitably bringing in the village council authorities concerned in the entire system of regulations, involving village council authorities in the entire system.
