Aizawl: The Mizoram Cabinet on Wednesday reiterated the state government’s opposition to the proposed fencing along the India-Myanmar border.
At a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Lalduhoma, the council of ministers reaffirmed its stand against erecting a fence along the Mizoram sector of the international border.
“The Cabinet reiterated that the state government stands by its original position. However, as border fencing is a Union subject, the state government does not have the authority to oppose it,” an official said.
After deliberations, the council noted that the state government had already expressed its objection through an official resolution in the legislative assembly, particularly against fencing along the Mizoram section of the border.
The ministers acknowledged that while the state remains firm in its stance, it does not have the authority to block the Centre’s proposal, as the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Union government.
Notably, Mizoram shares a 404-km-long porous international border with Myanmar’s Chin state, where the population comprises ethnic Mizos with shared culture, traditions, religious affinity and ancestry.
The state government has strongly opposed the Centre’s plan to fence the entire 510-km Indo-Myanmar border and scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR), viewing it as a move that would divide ethnic Mizo communities and weaken cultural ties.
Civil society groups and the state government argue that the initiative, aimed at curbing smuggling and illegal immigration, will disrupt livelihoods and divide families.
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The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO) and the NGO Coordination Committee are leading protests and have urged the central government to reconsider the move. Chief Minister Lalduhoma has also formally requested the Union Home Minister not to construct the fence, stressing the need to maintain free movement of people.
