Aizawl, January 31: The local resident of Lawngtlai and Siaha districts of southern Mizoram strongly opposed to the fencing of the India-Myanmar border proposed by the Centre and on this regard, they visited Rajya Sabha MP K Vanlalvena, on monday, expressing their concerns about the potential impact on their livelihoods.
Vanlalvena assured the locals that he would address the issue with the Centre and further pledged to cover the expenses of hiring teachers for Myanmar refugees in the region.
Residents emphasized to Vanlalvena that the erection of a fence would exclude a significant stretch of land, depriving villagers along the boundary of their primary source of livelihood.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently announced the decision to protect the India-Myanmar border with barbed fencing, similar to the India-Bangladesh border. The government is reportedly reconsidering the free movement agreement with Myanmar.
The 1,643-km border shared by four Indian states—Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram—has been a site where people have cultivated crops and collected forest produce for over a century.
The Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) leaders have already voiced their objections to the proposed fencing of the India-Myanmar border and the potential elimination of the Free Movement Regime.
