New Delhi: With the aim of bolstering border security, India is in the process of erecting a barrier along the entire 1643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. The decision, declared by Home Minister Amit Shah, underscores the government’s dedication to establishing secure boundaries and enhancing surveillance capabilities.

India is constructing a fence along its entire border with Myanmar, effectively bringing an end to the Free Movement Regime. Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed this development on Tuesday, responding to longstanding requests from Meitei groups based in the Imphal Valley. The move comes against the backdrop of thousands of anti-Junta rebels seeking refuge in India following the 2021 Myanmar military coup, and concerns about tribal militants infiltrating into India through the previously porous border.

“The Modi government is resolute in its commitment to fortify national borders. A decision has been made to erect a fence along the entire 1643-kilometer-long Indo-Myanmar border. In addition to this, a patrol track will be constructed along the border to enhance surveillance capabilities,” Shah announced in a tweet.

The India-Myanmar border spans 1,643 kilometers, traversing Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. Presently, it operates under the Free Movement Regime (FMR), a measure implemented in 2018 as a key component of India’s Act East policy.

The administration has successfully installed a fence along a 10 km stretch in the Moreh region of Manipur. Further, two pilot projects involving fencing through a hybrid surveillance system are currently in progress. Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned, “They will fence a stretch of 1 km each in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Additionally, approval has been granted for fence works covering approximately 20 km in Manipur, with the commencement of the work expected soon.”