Myanmar border shut amid strains over refugee crisis
Context: Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga held a virtual meeting with Foreign Minister of Myanmar Zin Mar Aung amid the ongoing military crackdown following the February coup. India has sealed all entry points along the border with the southeast Asian neighbour and is closely monitoring them to prevent any Myanmar national from entering the country.
Background:
- Zoramthanga had earlier written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging intervention so that political refugees from Myanmar are given asylum and food and shelter in the country.
- In the letter dated March 18, Mr. Zoramthanga said the people residing on both sides have close linkages. India cannot turn a blind eye to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in front of us in our own backyard.
- The Myanmar area bordering Mizoram is inhibited by Chin communities, who are ethnically our brethren with whom we have been having close contacts throughout all these years even before India became independent.
- Following the February 1 coup when the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically elected government, around 300 Myanmarese nationals, including many policemen, have crossed into India and sought refuge.
- India and Myanmar have an arrangement called Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allows locals on both sides to go upto 16 km across the other side and stay up to 14 days.
- The tussle between the Centre and the State on the issue has created a tough time for New Delhi and security agencies in handling the situation on the ground.
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