Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a significant announcement on February 8, stating that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar.
This move aligns with the government’s objective to enhance border security and combat illegal activities such as human trafficking and drug smuggling. The move came just after the Union Government decided to fence the entire 1643 km of international border with Myanmar.
Scrapping of Free Movement Regime (FMR)
The decision to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) was prompted by the government’s commitment to fortify the entire 1643-km border with Myanmar. Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that this initiative is a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dedication to safeguarding India’s borders.
Amit Shah underscored the importance of this decision in maintaining India’s internal security, particularly in the North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. By scrapping the FMR, the government aims to preserve the demographic structure of these states while bolstering border security measures.
Announcing this, Shah wrote on X (Formerly Twitter):
”It is Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji’s resolve to secure our borders. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India’s North Eastern States bordering Myanmar. Since the Ministry of External Affairs is currently in the process of scrapping it, MHA has recommended the immediate suspension of the FMR.”
It is Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji's resolve to secure our borders.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided that the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar be scrapped to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic…
— Amit Shah (Modi Ka Parivar) (@AmitShah) February 8, 2024
Immediate Suspension of FMR
Following the decision made by the Ministry of External Affairs to revoke the FMR, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recommended the immediate suspension of the regime. This step reflects the government’s proactive approach towards enhancing national security and protecting India’s territorial integrity. This step would also ensure long-term peace in the state of Manipur.
Response from Manipur CM
The Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh, expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for their unwavering commitment to securing India’s borders. He highlighted the significance of scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR) in bolstering internal security and preserving the demographic integrity of the North Eastern States.
Thanking the Union Government for their decision to scrap FMR and fence the entire Indo-Myanmar border, Singh said:
“Immensely grateful to Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramod Ji and Hon’ble HM Shri @AmitShah Ji for their commitment to securing our borders. The decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar, as recommended by @HMOIndia, is crucial for our internal security and the demographic integrity of our North Eastern States. This is yet another historic decision in curbing illegal immigration and strengthening our internal security after the recent announcement to fence the 1643 Km Indo-Myanmar border by Government of India,”
Immensely grateful to Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji and Hon’ble HM Shri @AmitShah Ji for their commitment to securing our borders. The decision to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar, as recommended by @HMOIndia, is crucial for our internal security…
— N.Biren Singh (Modi Ka Parivar) (@NBirenSingh) February 8, 2024
