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India begins biometric tracking at Myanmar border; 7,000 crossers registered

With resistance continuing against its announcement, the Centre in late December sent communications to the governments of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, directing them to implement an amended and firmer FMR instead.

A senior Assam Rifles officer said the entry of people from Myanmar is currently being regulated from 22 border points, which will be increased to 43. (Express File Photo)

As part of the stricter Free Movement Regime (FMR) that is now in place at the border with Myanmar, India is learnt to have allowed the movement of 7,000 people from the neighbouring country after collecting their documents as well as biometric details, which are linked to the National Data Centre.

Last year, the Centre had announced that it would scrap the FMR but faced a backlash not just from civil society, but also from across the political spectrum — including the BJP — in Nagaland and Mizoram. Manipur’s Naga and Kuki-Zo communities also opposed the move.

With resistance continuing against its announcement, the Centre in late December sent communications to the governments of Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, directing them to implement an amended and firmer FMR instead.

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A senior Assam Rifles officer said the entry of people from Myanmar is currently being regulated from 22 border points, which will be increased to 43. Security personnel are issuing “border passes” after collecting their biometric details, address and credentials, said the officer.

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According to the amended FMR protocol, in place since December, people from either country have to produce proof of residence within 10 km of the border issued by the local police station, village chief or any government-recognised authority.

After they present this, the Assam Rifles personnel take their photographs and biometric details including fingerprints, and issue them a border pass valid for seven days, said the officer.

“We are collecting their details (because) we should know who is coming and staying in our areas. If anyone commits anything wrong, we should know their whereabouts,” the officer said.

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This single-entry pass is usable for seven days and within 10 km of the border. Users have to deposit this pass at the same crossing point from which they entered. “They are not interested in going to other areas because they are mainly coming to meet their relatives,” the officer said.

While the Centre’s announcement to scrap the FMR had been welcomed by the Manipur government, it was met with stiff opposition from Mizoram and Nagaland.

The state government had held alleged illegal immigration from Myanmar as one of the prime factors responsible for the ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kuki-Zos since May 2023.

India shares a 1,643-km border with Myanmar which passes through Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Nagaland (215 km), Manipur (398 km) and Mizoram (510 km). Demarcation of 1,472 km of the border has been completed. Construction work on two pilot projects of hybrid surveillance systems has been awarded to the Assam Rifles and work is in progress.

Mahender Singh Manral

Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More

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