Oct 09, 2024
INDO-MYANMAR BORDER-PHYSICAL AND SMART FENCING
INDO-MYANMAR BORDER-PHYSICAL AND SMART FENCING
The Government of India has proposed a 1,643 km-long border fence along the India-Myanmar border, integrating physical and smart fencing measures. This initiative aims to strengthen border security, curtail illegal activities, and manage cross-border movements effectively. The Assam Rifles, responsible for guarding the India-Myanmar border, will play a key role in implementing this security measure by establishing border outposts and utilizing advanced surveillance technology.
1. What Is the Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing Project?
The Indo-Myanmar Border Fencing Project involves the construction of a mixed barrier combining physical (traditional) fencing and smart (technological) fencing along the 1,643 km border between India and Myanmar. Physical fencing will be installed in plain areas, while smart fencing, involving CCTV cameras, motion sensors, and metal detectors, will be used in areas that are difficult to access, such as riverine and hilly terrains.
2. What Are the Definitions of Physical and Smart Fencing?
• Physical Fencing: This refers to conventional barriers such as barbed wire, metal fencing, or walls designed to physically restrict unauthorized movement across borders. It is commonly used in easily accessible areas like plains.
• Smart Fencing: This involves advanced technologies like CCTV surveillance, thermal sensors, motion detectors, and metal scanners that monitor and secure border areas without relying solely on physical barriers. Smart fencing is particularly useful in challenging terrains like rivers, streams, and hills.
3. Why Is Border Fencing Along the Indo-Myanmar Border Necessary?
The fencing is crucial due to the increasing influx of drugs, weapons, and illegal migrants from Myanmar. It aims to enhance border security, curb smuggling activities, and regulate cross-border movement, which is a significant concern given the porous nature of this boundary.
4. How Will Smart Fencing Be Implemented in Difficult Terrains?
Smart fencing will be used in sections where the border traverses through rivers, streams, and hilly regions, where conventional fencing is impractical. The technology includes underground sensors and detection cameras, providing real-time monitoring of the border, especially during the monsoon season when river courses change frequently.
5. What Is the Role of Assam Rifles in Border Security?
Assam Rifles, the border-guarding force along the Indo-Myanmar border, will establish border outposts and deploy personnel in strategic locations. These outposts will serve as observation points to monitor activities and respond swiftly to any security threats along the border.
6. What Was the Free Movement Regime (FMR) Between India and Myanmar?
The Free Movement Regime (FMR), introduced in 2018 under India’s Act East policy, allowed citizens of India and Myanmar to travel up to 16 kilometers into each other’s territory without a visa. It was intended to improve access to healthcare and education for border residents, facilitate local trade, and strengthen diplomatic ties. The FMR also allowed people to stay in the neighboring country for up to two weeks with a one-year border pass.
7. Why Was the Free Movement Regime Suspended?
The Indian government suspended the FMR on January 2, 2024, citing several security concerns:
• Misuse by Insurgents: The FMR was exploited by insurgents to flee into Myanmar after carrying out attacks on Indian soil.
• Illegal Migration: Ending the FMR was aimed at preventing the influx of illegal migrants from Myanmar.
• Drug and Gold Smuggling: The suspension sought to dismantle drug trafficking and gold smuggling networks that were taking advantage of the border’s porous nature.
8. How Are Villages Near the Border Affected by the Fencing?
There are approximately 762 villages along the Indo-Myanmar border, many of which are within 150 meters of the proposed fencing. The fence will be built 150 meters inside Indian territory, between the villages and the actual border line, to regulate entry and exit points, monitor activities, and ensure the safety of residents.
9. What Is the Significance of the Proposed Border Outposts?
Border outposts, similar to those used along the India-Pakistan and India-Bangladesh borders, will serve as vantage points for monitoring and surveillance. These outposts will enhance the presence of security forces, ensuring that any suspicious activities can be detected and managed promptly.
10. How Does This Fencing Project Compare to Other Indian Borders?
The fencing approach along the Indo-Myanmar border is similar to those employed along the Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh borders, which have used a combination of physical barriers and technological solutions to enhance security. However, the Indo-Myanmar border presents unique challenges due to its complex terrain and socio-political context.