CCpur protests FMR scrapping, border fencing
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang

CCpur, December 03 2024: United Zou Organization (UZO) held a demonstration on Tuesday at the Wall of Remembrance, here, to protest the abolition of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the construction of border fencing along the international boundary with Myanmar.

Participants displayed banners with messages such as "Peaceful sit-in protest against scrapping of Free Movement Regime & construction of border fencing" and carried placards bearing statements like "No border fencing can fence out cultural ties" .

The demonstration was attended by Saikot MLA Paolienlal Haokip, Henglep MLA Letzamang Haokip and Singhat MIA Chinlunthang, alongside tribal leaders from Churachandpur district and representatives of the Kuki-Zo Council.

A moment of silence was observed to honour those who lost their lives in the ongoing violence.

The programme featured addresses by the MLAs and key leaders from the Kuki-Zo Council, Zomi Council, Kuki Inpi Manipur, and Hmar Inpui, motivating the gathering.

At the end of the programme, a memorandum addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah was submitted to deputy commissioner Dharun Kumar by UZO leaders.

The FMR allowed people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16 km into each other's territory without any documents.

The announcement to scrap it was made in February after Amit Shah said India decided to fence the entire 1,643-km-long India-Myanmar border, which passes through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

The FMR was implemented in 2018 as part of India s Act East policy.

Fencing along the border has been a persistent demand of Meetei groups which have been alleging that militants often enter India through it.

The Meetei groups also allege that narcotics are being smuggled into India, taking advantage of the unfenced international border.

(With inputs from PTI) .

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