Indo-Myanmar border management : A relook ?

Lt Gen (Dr) K Himalay Singh, Retd
Contd from Thursday
The fencing has been opposed solely on the grounds that “imagined ethnic, homelands’ on both sides will be disturbed. NSCN and a few Naga groups call it ‘NagaLim’ or NagaLim for Christ “ and Lushai-Kuki-Zo-Chin groups call it “Zogam” “Zoland” “Zalengam” or whatever. These groups have called for integration of Naga or Zo ethnic groups across the border with a religious bent of ideology. Common people are made to believe that movement of goods and people will be suspended. Existing mechanism caters for cross border movement of legal goods and population continue as hither to fore with a partially regulated mechanism of checking the identities of the people, their return and the legality of cross border trades.
There is no doubt that “Free for All” mentality for cross border movement of people and goods need to be regulated. It never was a ‘FREE” movement since its inception in 1949-50 and even in the 1967 agreement between the two countries. The need for a “permit system “was there all along even though passports and visas were exempted. The policy was never implemented. Nor was there a border guarding mechanism in existence. Token presence of BSF prior to 2001, along a few locations were clearly at the mercy of insurgent groups. That the authorities then had no inclination nor the resources to guard the border is an understatement and a matter of grave National security concern.
Way ahead and suggested mechanism
The only way ahead is to implement the recently promulgated MHA notification for ‘Border Pass’ which is yet to be notified by the MEA. Processes for entry into India as per the MHA notification of 2023:- “Visitors must : Report to designated border points, Fill a form and undergo document checks, security screening and health inspections. Information will be uploaded to the Indo-Myanmar Border Portal. A border pass with a photograph and QR code will be issued and must be returned at the same point upon departure”.
With 43 crossing points notified, and 22 already functional, there should be no hindrance to cross border movements. However, there will be a necessity of ensuring that the following border management architecture for it to be effective;-
1. Infrastructure to include approach roads or tracks as applicable.
2. Minimum housing for the operating personnel. AR infrastructure where possible for short term needs.
3. Reasonably trained personnel who have basic idea of rules. Customs/immigration/local police/ int/local security
4. Communication to include radio/internet connec- tivity for data management with State and Central agencies. Communication with the counterpart in Myanmar where possible. And exchange of data.
5. Scanners/sniffer dogs. Physical checking to begin with
6. Biometric identifications and foolproof ‘border pass” issue mechanism
The above are achievable with minimum infrastructure and honest imple- mentation of the Indo-Myanmar agreement on border management.
Present Status of border Guarding Force and Recommendations.
1. Fencing/ Smart Fencing:- While the fencing construction is in progress presently in Manipur-Myanmar border, there have been opposition to the fencing efforts from some civil societies supported by militant groups in Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. The GoI has rightly decided to fence the vulnerable stretches of the borders to begin with. There is a need to ensure that the integrity of the IB is ensured with a suitable mechanism. Deployment of drones and other electronic means of surveillance are essential in more vulnerable areas where anti-National elements are bound to take advantage of. However, given the terrain, and the ground realities, boots on ground will have to be positioned in some way.
2. Infrastructure : It has been learnt that a border road is being planned along the entire 1643 Km long IMB to facilitate border management and deployment of forces and elements engaged in its management. This is likely to take upto five years. Hence, the existing arrangements of using the AR posts from where the entry/exit controls are to be exercised will need greater attention. Coordination and connectivity with the state and other central agencies like the state police will need to be ensured. A degree of transparency will be need of the hour to establish greater integration with other agencies.
3. Border Force : Assam Rifles mandated to manage the border is woefully short of units. Against a requirement of about 40 Units, the present deployment is 20 units, that too without minimal infrastructure and many sub-units well away from the IB. The number of units will have to be enhanced to 40 BG units as planned. If need be Armed police units of North Eastern States could be pulled in to augment the AR by deploying these with AR units as an interim measure. Deployment will have to ensure that EAOs of Myanmar and IIGs are deterred from any mischiefs.
A few local communities in and around the entry points could be roped in where required. In any case, AR has a significant number of personnel who belong to the border region. But caution should be exercised so that these personnel do not fall prey to local ethnic conundrum.
4. Entry Points : Of the 43 identified entry points, there are many which are 3-5 Kms away from the IMB. Many are also functioning under makeshift tents, even without internet connectivity of the NIC. These issues will need to be addressed earliest possible.
5. Training of Personnel:- The personnel will have to be more trained, like ability to read Burmese scripts, identifying fake passes, impersonations and border management techniques. Adequate know- ledge of the challenges at the border such as drugs and narcotics smuggling will have to be imparted to the personal.
6. Integration of the agencies : AR will have to be made the lead agency to coordinate the function of the crossing points where multiple agencies are required to be deployed. Data sharing with the state authorities and other central agencies will have to be made on Priority. All Villagers within 10 Kms of the IMB will need to be issued with QR code enabled/ Bio-metric enabled identity passes. Similarly , Myanmar authorities to ensure that a reasonably reliable mechanism of border passes is in place and not misused by EAOs and illegal migrants of Myanmar. State police personnel should be in the proximity of the BG location and co-located where essential.
7. Routine Modus Operandi of the BG force : The deployment of BG unit in IMB will be different from other borders due to the terrain and ground situation in the area. Within the IMB also, threat from terrorist groups operating in the area on both sides of the border have to be taken into account. Cheaper variety short range drones should be operated by these Platoon level posts along with other surveillance equipments to deter the terrorists groups. Patrolling along the fence should be a combination of foot and vehicle mounted patrols with adequately armed personal. These must be supplemented by longer range surveillance drones.
8. Administrative and Political will : As brought earlier, the so-called “Free Movement Regime” was never “FREE’ in the first place. But, the local population was accustomed to a “Free” movement since the regime was never implemented by the enforcing agencies like the BSF from the beginning, nor were they provided nor demanded the resources to do so. The State Govts need to play their part in the border management too by supporting the GoI initiative rather than oppose it.
Conclusion
It is of great National security importance that the IMB will need to be guarded more genuinely in view of the increasing inimical activities in the region. The borders here have been neglected for long and the negligence have cost the country and the States equally in terms of cross border activities by the anti-India forces. AR should be the lead agency with other elements and assume their role even as the manpower and other related infrastructures are due to come up in a few years from now and get more effective. The border States should not be allowed to dilute this vital issue of IMB border management.