1. What is the main purpose of fencing the India-Myanmar border?
The primary aim of fencing the India-Myanmar border is to regulate illegal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and the smuggling of goods such as teak wood and red sandalwood. It is also intended to manage illegal immigration effectively and ensure national security.
2. How long is the India-Myanmar border that is planned to be fenced?
The planned fencing covers the India-Myanmar border, which spans approximately 1,643 kilometers.
3. What are some of the illegal activities reported along the India-Myanmar border?
The border is known for various illegal activities, including but not limited to, the smuggling of drugs, betel nuts, teak wood, red sandalwood, human trafficking, and the illegal movement of goods and people.
4. Who opposes the fencing of the India-Myanmar border, and why?
Opposition to the fencing comes from stakeholders benefitting from the border’s porosity, including smugglers and certain local communities. These groups argue that the fence will disrupt traditional and economic activities across the border.
5. How does the Free Movement Regime (FMR) affect the India-Myanmar border situation?
The FMR allows citizens of India and Myanmar to travel up to 40-50 km inside the other country without a passport or visa for a specified period. Critics argue that this regime facilitates illegal activities by easing the movement across the border.
6. What impact would the fencing have on local communities, particularly the Naga and Kuki-Zo people?
The fencing could significantly impact these communities by restricting their traditional cross-border movements, affecting their cultural and social practices, and potentially disrupting their economic activities, especially those that rely on cross-border trade.
7. How significant is drug trafficking along the India-Myanmar border?
Drug trafficking is a major concern, with an estimated 90 percent of drugs smuggled into India originating from Myanmar. The border towns serve as critical hubs for the distribution of these drugs across the region.
8. What are some goods smuggled from Myanmar into India?
Goods commonly smuggled include betel nuts, teak wood, red sandalwood, electronic and consumable products, cigarettes, and construction materials like cement, sand, and tin sheets.
9. What measures are proposed to manage the negative impacts of fencing on local communities?
While specific measures have not been detailed, potential actions could include establishing regulated transit routes for traditional movements, economic support for affected communities, and dialogue to address the concerns of local populations.
SRIRAM’s
