FMR repealed to stop cross border movement
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 29 2023:
In a new and far reaching development, Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Sapam Ranjan who is also the spokesperson of the Government, has announced that the State Government has withdrawn the Free Movement Regime (FMR) from Indo-Myanmar border (Moreh-Myanmar) after taking due approval from the Centre.
The FMR was signed between the Government of India and Myanmar Government in 2018 to promote Act East Policy.
Dr S Ranjan made the announcement during a public convention held at Moidangpok in Imphal West today.
Speaking as the chief guest, the Minister continued that the cancellation of FMR which permits the people residing along the border to travel 16 kms across the boundary without visa will be very helpful in checking the influx of illegal immigrants.
He further said that the Government has started taking action to update NRC in the context of Manipur and begin fencing work along 390 Km stretch of Indo-Myanmar border.
Claiming that the crisis in Manipur is of external aggression and not religious or Meitei-Kuki clash as depicted by many, Dr Ranjan continued that the conflict is between those who want to protect Manipur and those who want to disintegrate the State.
About the initiative taken up by the Government, Dr Ranjan said the State Government has been working to secure the future of Manipur by checking poppy cultivation, influx of illegal foreigners, encroachment on reserved and protected forests etc under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
The violence in Manipur was orchestrated by those who are unhappy with the campaign of the Government against drug and encroachment, he claimed.
Dr Ranjan said that "we need to educate our children, promote games and sports and stand united against drugs" to defeat those who want to break the State apart.
The State Government has also been holding meetings regularly to bring administrative reforms in Manipur, he added.
The people who attended the convention expressed desire for the Government to begin the rehabilitation works of displaced Meeteis by deploying adequate security forces at sensitive areas.