While other NE states against scrapping FMR, Arunachal welcomes move

Recently, the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) has unanimously passed a resolution to appeal the Centre to reconsider its decision

Reported by Ripunjoy Das | Copy edited by Lipika Roy

At a time when two governments in the Northeast– Mizoram and Nagaland had opposed the Centre’s decision to withdraw the Free Movement Regime (FMR) from the Indo-Myanmar border, the Arunachal Pradesh government welcomed the decision.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu while interacting with the media during a programme at Longding on Saturday said that the Arunachal Pradesh government welcomes the Union Home Ministry’s decision.

“I have always welcomed the Government of India’s decision to scrap FMR with Myanmar,” said CM Khandu.

Responding to Cabinet Minister Honchun Ngandam’s suggestion for a way for people on both sides of the Indo-Myanmar border to maintain their long-standing relationship if the border is fenced, CM Khandu stated that the government will make suggestions to the Centre so that a mechanism can be devised to allow people on either side to continue their age-old relationship.

“I will take the matter up with the Centre soon,” CM Khandu added.

On March 1, the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) has unanimously passed a resolution to appeal to the Centre to reconsider its decision and to abandon the plan of suspending the FMR and fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border.

On February 20, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma once again opposed the scrapping of FMR as well as the Center’s decision to fence the 1,643 km long Indo- Myanmar border.

The Union Home Minister had first made the announcement regarding sealing the India-Myanmar border on January 20 during an event in Guwahati, Assam.

The 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, spanning Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, currently operates under the FMR, which permits individuals living near the India-Myanmar border to travel 16 km into each other’s territories without a visa.

Also Read: NPP not to contest any of the LS seats in Arunachal, to support BJP-led NDA instead

COMMENTS