Guwahati: The Free Movement Regime (FMR), now operating under a regulated movement framework, allows eligible residents of villages located within 10 km of the India-Myanmar border on either side to undertake cross-border travel subject to prescribed conditions, officials said on Monday.

A defence spokesperson said the number of legitimate crossings facilitated under the FMR/Regulated Movement Regime (RMR) demonstrates that the mechanism is intended to regulate cross-border travel rather than prevent people-to-people contact.

According to official records, 16,428 Border Passes have been issued so far, indicating that eligible residents who fulfil the required conditions continue to be permitted to cross the international boundary, the spokesperson said.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced in 2024 that the earlier FMR, which permitted residents living along the India-Myanmar border to travel up to 16 km into the neighbouring country without passports or visas, would be discontinued. It subsequently proposed a regulated system under which residents living within 10 km of the border on either side would be issued passes for cross-border movement.

The decision to replace the FMR and the proposal to fence the India-Myanmar border have faced opposition from the governments of Nagaland and Mizoram, as well as political parties and civil society organisations in the two states.

Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram collectively share a 1,643-km unfenced international border with Myanmar. The Centre has also proposed fencing the entire stretch, citing concerns including arms and narcotics smuggling, unauthorised cross-border movement and other forms of contraband trafficking. The estimated cost of the project has been put at Rs 31,000 crore.

The clarification from the defence authorities came after reports alleged that the Assam Rifles had stopped a delegation of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) from travelling to Myanmar at Avangkhu in Nagaland’s Meluri district.

The Assam Rifles rejected the suggestion that the delegation was stopped because of its identity or the stated purpose of its visit. According to its statement, the movement was halted because the group did not possess the required authorisation to cross the international border.

The statement said eight people in three vehicles arrived at the designated crossing point on September 19 and informed officials that they intended to travel to Tsera in Myanmar.

When asked to produce the documents required for authorised cross-border movement, the delegation allegedly failed to provide a valid Border Pass or permission issued by the competent authority, the statement said.

The Assam Rifles maintained that the issue was one of compliance with border-movement regulations and not a restriction on cultural exchanges or people-to-people contact.

It further said that cross-border travel under the prevailing regulated framework is permitted only through designated points and is subject to specified eligibility criteria and documentation.

According to the statement, the NSF delegation had travelled from Kohima and therefore could not claim an automatic right to cross the international border solely on the basis of a proposed cultural-exchange programme or reference letters.

The Assam Rifles also clarified that a recommendation or reference letter issued by a civil society organisation does not constitute official permission to cross an international boundary.