The Centre’s decision to scrap the Indo-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR) has resulted in strong resentment from masses in Mizoram

Lone Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram K. Vanlalvena lamented that tribal Members of Parliament were not given a chance to speak on important issues like Manipur turmoil, Free Movement Regime (FMR) and proposed Indo-Myanmar fencing in the Parliament while a non-tribal MP from Manipur was allowed to speak on issues picking tribal population in his state. Vanlalvena said that while Manipur’s non-tribal MP was allowed to speak at length about the alleged abnormal growth rate of population especially insome hill districts of Manipur in the Rajya Sabha. While the MP was allowed to raise the population growth rate in his state, “I was not allowed to speak about the bloody ethnic strife in my neighbouring state, which is more important and pressing issue, even after numerous pleas to the Chairman of Rajya Sabha last year,” K. Vanlalvena said. He said that he was also not allowed to speak in the Parliament about the central government’s proposal to scrap the 75-year-old Free Movement Regime between India and Myanmar and erecting fence along the Indo-Myanmar border despite appeals for 4 times. Vanlalvena of the Mizo National Front (MNF), one of the constituents of the BJP-led NDA, complained of being sidelined by the BJP and the other allies when he wanted to raise anti-tribal policies in the Parliament. He, however, had spoken recentlyat the All Party leaders’ meeting protesting the proposed Indo-Myanmar border fencing.

“While the Union Ministers were allowed to speak about the termination of FMR and border fencing in Lok Sabha, my voices were muted in the Rajya Sabha,” he lamented.  The MP on Friday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah protesting the proposed termination of FMR and erecting Indo-Myanmar border fencing.  Mizos, Nagas and the hill tribes of Manipur have been vehemently opposing lifting of the FMR and fencing of Indo-Myanmar border as it will create a plethora of problems for people living on both sides of the border who are kindred brothers. The MZP President Lalthianghlima also said that the Zo people have been divided by administrative divisions since the colonial period and international boundaries in the post-colonial era. He said that the Centre should reconsider scrapping FMR.

“Despite these divisions, we do not feel separated due to the Free Movement Regime instituted by the Government of India. It enables us to participate in each other’s funeral rites, marriage ceremonies, pay visit to patients at home, join in religious meetings, and engage in locallevel sports tournaments,” he said, adding that the recent decision to terminate this regime is now taking away these essential aspects and “depriving us of our rights as human beings, much like other communities around the world,’ he said. The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizo apex students’ organisation on January 22 wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the Central government’s recent decision to abolish the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and erect a fence along the India-Myanmar border.In their plea for reconsideration, the MZP officials highlighted the need to preserve the cultural and social fabric of the Zo people across the India-Myanmar border.