The Zo Re-unification Organisation (ZORO), a Chin-Kuki-Mizo-Zomi group based in Aizawl, has called on the central government to restore the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that previously allowed visa-free movement along the India-Myanmar border.
ZORO also urged the government to revoke the newly introduced border pass system, which affects residents living within 10 kilometers of the border.
ZORO President R. Sangkawia explained to reporters that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) replaced the FMR with this new system, which came into effect on January 1. Under the new guidelines, individuals must now obtain a border pass from the Assam Rifles to stay for up to seven days. This pass is available only to those living within a 10-kilometer radius on either side of the border.
According to a December 2024 communication from the MHA to Mizoram’s chief secretary, the new system will be implemented in stages. Initially, two pilot entry points in Champhai district—Zokhawthar and Hnahlan—have been activated. Three additional points in Lawngtlai district are planned for Phase I, and Phase II will involve 13 more crossing points across six border districts.
To obtain a border pass, residents must provide proof of residence within 10 kilometers of the border, such as certifications from the local police, village chief, or village authority.
The MHA stated that the border pass system is designed to enhance India’s internal security and preserve the demographic balance in northeastern states bordering Myanmar. However, Sangkawia argued that the change would negatively affect communities with cross-border ties, stressing that the FMR was essential for border residents who travel for family visits, tourism, business, medical treatment, and cultural exchanges.
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