A total of 45 persons including men, women, and children were made to return to their country. These persons are from Phailen which is about 8km from Phaikok/Phaikoh. They have been staying at Phaikok (35km from Kamjong Headquarters) for about four days.
By Tennoson Pheiray, TFM Ukhrul Correspondent
With the temporary suspension of Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the Indo-Myanmar border, a total of 45 Myanmar refugees were pushed back to their country on September 16, 2021 at International Border Pillar No. 102. As per sources, a total of 45 persons including men, women and children were made to return to their country.
Sources informed that the Myanmar people are from Phailen which is about 8km from Phaikok/Phaikoh. They have been staying at Phaikok for about four days which is about 35km from Kamjong Headquarters.
Phaikok village is under 43-Phungyar Assembly Constituency and falls within the jurisdiction of Chassad Police Station. According to 2011 census, the village has a population of 391 with 81 houses.
India shares 1,643 km long border with Myanmar that passes through four states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.
Myanmar’s divided ethnic communities are living along the Indo-Myanmar border. The newly created boundary in 1947 was found to be inconsistent with the traditional limits of the area they inhabited. The people in the borders especially the Nagas felt a deep sense of insecurity because they became relegated to the status of ethnic minorities on both sides of the borders.
In order to address this issue and to enable to have a greater interaction, the Indian and Myanmarese governments established the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows the tribes living along the border to travel 16 kilometres across the border on either side without any visa requirements.
In January 2018, the Union Cabinet had approved an agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) between India and Myanmar on land border crossing to enhance economic interaction between people of two countries. Accordingly, the four states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram which share the unfenced border with Myanmar were asked to issue border pass to all the residents living within 16 km from the border. However, Myanmar has cited domestic compulsions and has asked for more time for the agreement to be sealed.
Home Department, Government of Manipur on June 29, 2021 had issued an order in regards to temporarily suspension for a period of 1 (one) month of FMR along Indo-Myanmar border in view of the Covid scenario in the State. Again on August 7, 2021, the Home Department, Government of Manipur extended for another period of 1 (one) month in view of the increased Covid-19 cases in Myanmar including areas adjoining State of Manipur, since it is likely to pose threat to the people of Manipur if border movement of people is allowed. The order will not affect the decision of the government to open both the gates at Moreh-Tamu border for the movement of medical items related to Covid-19 from India to Myanmar while restricting entry of goods and people from Myanmar to India.
Another order was issued on September 7, 2021 for temporary suspension of FMR for other 1 (one) month in view of the increasing Covid-19 cases in Myanmar.
Sources informed that on Monday a team of civil administration and police from Kamjong Headquarters had left for Phaikok. It is learned that there has been cross-border movement again and the authority has gone to verify at the reported village. Details are awaited while filing this report. There is also a claim of arranging temporary shelters for the refugees but there is no official confirmation on this too.