Context: This editorial is based on the news “Smart fencing of 300 km along Myanmar border to begin soon” which was published in the Economic Times. The government is set to issue orders for smart border fencing for an additional 300 km out of the 1,643 km of India-Myanmar border, running along Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram.

Why is India Building Smart Border Fencing Along India-Myanmar Border?

• Background: After the conflicts in May 2023 in Manipur, the Centre started a project for fencing the border. 
• The development follows the completion of a 10-km pilot project last year and smart fencing order for an additional 80 kilometres, bringing the total length of smart fencing to 390 km.
• Ethnic Conflicts: The decision has been made in the background of ongoing ethnic conflicts and the illegal migration of Chin-Kuki nationals from Myanmar. 
• Illicit Activities: Large-scale smuggling of products, narcotics, weapons, and ammunition has occurred along the porous border between India and Myanmar. 
• End of  FMR: Following the installation of the smart fencing, the free movement regime (FMR) along the border between India and Myanmar will be stopped.
  • The FMR is increasingly being looked at as a threat to national security on the grounds that it facilitates undeterred border crossing by both insurgents and illegal migrants.

What is Border Management?

• The primary goals of border management include securing the nation’s borders against hostile interests and implementing systems capable of intercepting such elements, all while facilitating legitimate trade and commerce.

About India-Myanmar Border

• Boundary with Indian States: A border close to 1600 kms with four northeastern states of India- Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Vulnerable Terrain: The border is characterized by high mountains, deep river channels, and dense forests. Region remains sparsely populated with limited economic development. 

What are the Challenges Associated with the India-Myanmar Border?

• Illegal Immigrants entry, which has increased after the recent military coup in Myanmar. 
• Drug Abuse from Golden triangle, meeting point of the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.
• Interlinkage Between Drug Traffickers and Insurgent Groups: Data from the Manipur Chief Minister’s Office show that 500 cases were registered and 625 individuals were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Manipur in 2022. 
• Smuggling of narcotics and illegal arms: The trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) has linkages with the functioning of the illicit drug economy. 
  • According to the report, Rakhine militants as well as Indian insurgents with training camps in Myanmar’s Sagaing region are the main buyers of illegal arms.
• Human Trafficking: The instability, turmoil, and internal power struggles within Myanmar gave rise to criminal syndicates exploiting vulnerable individuals for illicit gains.
• Ethnic Conflicts: The ongoing ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and Kukis in Manipur is due to illegal migration of tribal Kuki-Chin peoples from Myanmar into India. 

What are the Government Initiative for India-Myanmar Border Management?

• Border Infrastructure and Management (BIM) Scheme for infrastructure development.
• Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System to improve situational awareness along the India-Pakistan Border (IPB) and India-Bangladesh Border (IBB).
• Border Area Development Programme (BADP) to meet the special developmental needs and well-being of the people living in remote and inaccessible areas near the International Boundary.
• Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) for comprehensive development of the select villages in the States of  Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and UT of Ladakh.

Way Forward for India-Myanmar Border

• Round the Clock Border Guarding: There is a need to deploy a regular Border Guarding force for continuous vigilance of India – Myanmar border.
• Creating Border Infrastructure: It includes the creation of composite Border Observation Posts (BOPs), Border Road, and Obstacle System.
• Separation of Patrolling and Security Functions:  The Assam Rifles(AR) is in charge of border patrol as well as ensuring border security.
  • Thus, a sizable portion of its battalions are engaged in counterinsurgency activities, which makes border security more difficult. Thus, the two functions need to be completely separated.
  • Moreover, the battalions guarding the border need to be stationed right at the border itself, unlike at present where they operate from well inside Indian territory.
• Strengthening of Legal Frameworks:  Improved coordination between India and Myanmar’s law enforcement agencies is essential to combat trafficking effectively.  Joint operations and intelligence sharing can help intercept traffickers and rescue victims.
• Strengthening of Bilateral  Institutional Mechanisms: India has constituted institutional mechanisms with Myanmar which need to be revised with changing dynamics.

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