Unfenced border with Myanmar in focus after arrest of seven foreigners, Pg16

Key Highlights:

• Seven foreign nationals, including six Ukrainians and one U.S. citizen, were arrested for allegedly illegally crossing into Myanmar via Mizoram.
• The individuals were allegedly training armed ethnic groups in weapons handling and drone operations.
• Only 43.75 km of the total 1,643 km border with Myanmar has been fenced so far.
• The National Investigation Agency (NIA) accused the foreigners of importing drones from Europe to Myanmar via India.

Detailed Insights:

• The government stated that it maintains coordination with local communities, the Myanmar Army, and security agencies to check illegal migration, trafficking, and insurgent activities along the Myanmar border.
• A joint counter-drone mechanism with monthly reporting has been instituted to address security concerns.
• The fencing project, including biometric recording gates, has faced resistance due to deep ethnic, social, and cultural ties between people on both sides of the border.
• The number of designated exit and entry gates has decreased from 43 to 38, with only 20 currently functional.
• While the Free Movement Regime (FMR) was initially announced to be scrapped, it was later regulated, restricting free movement to 10 km from the earlier 16 km.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Free Movement Regime (FMR): A unique arrangement between India and Myanmar allowing people to move freely without visas within a specified distance of the border.
• Ethnically Armed Groups (EAGs): Armed groups in Myanmar formed along ethnic lines, often fighting for greater autonomy or self-determination.
• National Investigation Agency (NIA): India's primary counter-terrorism task force.