CM sees permanent solution in border fencing, ending FMR
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 08 2024: Chief Minister N Biren has categorically stated that the Government of India's decision to fence Indo-Myanmar boundary and end Free Movement Regime (FMR) between the two countries would prove to a permanent solution to myriad problems for generations to some.

On behalf of the State Government, all the ruling MLAs and political parties which are supporting his Government, Chief Minister N Biren hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Union Council of Ministers for their decision to fence Indo-Myanmar border and end FMR.

Speaking to media persons at the Chief Minister's Secretariat this afternoon, N Biren asserted that the primary duties of politicians are protection of citizens and safeguarding the State's boundary.

CM sees permanent solution in border fencing, ending FMR

The BJP-led Government has been focusing on these two primary duties since it was formed in 2017 .

The present situation is a culmination of the Government's efforts to check demographic imbalance facilitated by open border, unnatural and sudden population growth, War on Drugs, and establish Population Commission, Biren said.

The State Government, CSOs and the people of Manipur have been asking the Centre to work out a permanent solution to these issues.

Together with the announcement to fence the entire length of Indo-Myanmar border, construction of hybrid fencing has already started along a 1 Km long stretch of Manipur-Myanmar border.

Hybrid fencing is quite sophisticated and it can even detect drones flying over it, Biren said.

Border fencing will be started soon in another stretch spanning 20 Kms in vulnerable areas.

Such steps to check smuggling of arms deserves appreciation, he said.

In his official X account, Union Home Minister Amit Shah tweeted that the Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar would be scrapped completely.

The same tweet reflected internal security threats posed by porous or open border and demographic imbalance caused by FMR, Biren said.

The State Government set up a Population Commission of its own but it could not be done with the knowledge or concurrence of the Centre, he said.

Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced that a high-power Population Commission would be established to monitor the growth of immigrants in India.

This would comprehend the demand of the people of Manipur as well as the State Government's initiative, the Chief Minister claimed.

He also conveyed gratitude to the Union Finance Minister and other authorities concerned for the same move.

The credit for the commendable steps taken up by the Government of India should go to the internally displaced people whose houses had been burnt down, those who have lost their lives in the violence and the people of Manipur, he said.

"We are only steering the Government and exerting pressure", Biren said.

Informing that an overall review meeting on poppy plantation was held today, the Chief Minister said that Superintendents of Police of all districts have been instructed to destroy all poppy plantations by the end of February.

The SPs have also given information on where poppy is planted.

Moreover, Forest, NCB, NAB and State police have been directed to work together, he added.