In a significant development, the Indian government has announced plans to secure the open border between India and Myanmar with barbed wire fencing. Union Home Minister Amit Shah made the announcement during the passing-out parade of five Assam Police commando battalions, stating that the move aims to protect the 1,643km unfenced border, similar to the fencing along the India-Bangladesh border.

The open India-Myanmar border has facilitated free movement between the two nations, particularly in the northeastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram. However, concerns have been raised about the prolonged violence in Manipur and the potential security threats posed by insurgents and smugglers taking advantage of the open border.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is currently constructing a fence along 10km of the Manipur-Myanmar border, with plans to fence an additional 70km. Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has highlighted the open border and free movement as major factors contributing to the violence in the state. Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh is yet to take a stand on the matter.

The announcement has garnered mixed reactions from state authorities. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma expressed shock over the decision, mentioning his opposition to scrapping the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and the fencing of the border. He emphasized the strong ethnic ties between the Mizo and Chin communities of Myanmar and voiced concerns about potential repercussions on their familial connections.

Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton echoed Lalduhoma's stance, asserting that any decision to fence the border would be unacceptable to Nagas. He emphasized that a significant population of Naga ethnicity has been residing in Myanmar for a considerable period.

The India-Myanmar free movement mechanism was formalized in 2018 through a bilateral "Agreement on Land Border Crossing" as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East Policy. While the agreement allowed for free movement of tribes, it also became a security concern due to the involvement of insurgents, rampant smuggling activities, and an influx of people.

Since the military coup in Myanmar earlier this year, more than 50,000 individuals from Myanmar have sought refuge in Mizoram and Manipur, while several hundred Myanmar soldiers have fled to India following clashes with militia group People's Defence Force.

As the Centre moves forward with its plan to secure the India-Myanmar border, the decision has sparked debates and concerns over its potential impact on ethnic ties, cross-border trade, and the overall security situation in the region. As of now, there is no clarification on the implementation timeline or specifics regarding the barbed wire fencing along the border.