A U-Turn on Border Security?

The recent announcement by the Union Home Ministry introducing a regulation that allows Myanmar residents living within 10 kilometers of the international border to temporarily enter India using a ‘border pass’ issued by the Assam Rifles is a significant development. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh has expressed his gratitude to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the initiative, terming it a ‘good beginning’ toward regulating cross-border movement. However, while the regulation appears promising on paper, its practical implementation poses a range of challenges that need careful consideration.
Manipur shares a 398-kilometer-long border with Myanmar, forming part of the larger 1,643-kilometer Indo-Myanmar border. Historically, this border has been porous, with communities on both sides sharing familial, cultural, and economic ties. The introduction of a ‘border pass’ seeks to formalize and regulate movement across the border. This is crucial given the security concerns, illegal immigration, and smuggling activities that have often plagued the region.
Chief Minister Biren Singh’s emphasis on utilizing advanced machinery and deploying coordinated efforts among Assam Rifles, state police, health officials, and district administration staff is well-placed. However, the ground reality reveals significant hurdles. A substantial portion of the Indo-Myanmar border remains unfenced, leaving vast stretches vulnerable to unchecked movement. Without physical barriers or technological surveillance mechanisms in place, issuing a ‘border pass’ may become a mere formality, easily bypassed by those intent on entering illegally.
Moreover, the Assam Rifles, tasked with issuing these passes, has faced criticism for its perceived inefficiency in border management. The Manipur government has previously pressed for the removal of the Assam Rifles from border management responsibilities due to their alleged failure in ensuring security and preventing illegal activities. Assigning them the task of issuing passes raises questions about the effectiveness of the new regulation. This move appears contradictory to the state government’s earlier stance and may be seen as a U-turn by Chief Minister Biren Singh. It begs the question: if the Assam Rifles struggled with broader border management, how can they be expected to efficiently handle the issuance and enforcement of border passes?
The failure of the Assam Rifles in ensuring effective border management has been a significant contributing factor to the recent violent conflict in Manipur. This raises concerns about whether the reallocation of responsibilities to the Assam Rifles is intended to appease certain communities, particularly the Nagas and Kukis of Manipur. The decision to involve the Assam Rifles in issuing passes might also be interpreted as giving in to the demands of the Kuki community, akin to the imposition of AFSPA in the state, which has similarly been a contentious issue.
Lastly, the idea of a ‘border pass’ is reminiscent of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) that has historically allowed residents of the border areas to cross freely. The FMR, while rooted in facilitating traditional cross-border ties, has faced criticism for its exploitation by smugglers and insurgent groups. Replacing or supplementing the FMR with a ‘border pass’ may only offer a cosmetic change unless it is accompanied by stringent monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. It is worth questioning whether a ‘border pass’, in the absence of robust infrastructure, will effectively address the concerns of illegal immigration and security.