Aizawl: In a high-stakes meeting held at the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi on Tuesday evening, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan made a direct appeal to Mizoram’s top civil society organizations to refrain from opposing the Centre’s controversial plan to fence the Indo-Myanmar border.
The meeting, which began around 6:30 p.m. at North Block, brought together leaders from major Mizoram-based NGOs, including the Central Young Mizo Association (CYMA), Mizo Hmeichhe Insuihkhawm Pawl (MHIP), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Mizo Students’ Union (MSU), and the Zo Reunification Organisation (ZORO). Discussions revolved around the ongoing Free Movement Regime (FMR), the proposed border fencing, and several pressing regional issues.
Govind Mohan appealed to the representatives to support the Union Government’s efforts. He urged the organizations not to resist the move, despite growing concerns among local communities about the impact of fencing on cross-border ethnic ties and daily life.
The NGO representatives stated that the NGO Coordination Committee shared its views on the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing during the meeting, and appealed to the Home Ministry officials to consider and respect the sentiments of the people wherever necessary.
Another major point of discussion was the handover of Lengpui Airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI)—a subject that was earlier raised during Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Aizawl. The NGOs sought clarity on the process, to which the Home Secretary assured that steps were underway to complete the handover within the agreed three-month period.
The NGOs also expressed concern over the long and complicated process involved in obtaining Protected Area Permits (PAP) for foreigners visiting Mizoram. They requested clearer regulations and simplified procedures. Govind Mohan responded by assuring that the Ministry would work on easing the process and appointed the Joint Secretary of the Intelligence Bureau (Northeast) to oversee the matter.
The meeting also touched on the rising problem of drug abuse in Mizoram. The Union Home Secretary said the Centre is ready to extend financial and logistical support through the Narcotics Control Bureau and affirmed the government’s commitment to assisting the state in its fight against narcotics.
The discussion included the presence of high-ranking officials from various departments, including the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Secretary of Border Management, the Advisor for Northeast Affairs, the Director Generals of BSF, NCB, and Assam Rifles, and other senior officials from the ministries of education, tourism, and internal security.
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