It has been almost two weeks since the Ministry of Home Affairs issued the directive making border passes mandatory for those crossing the Indo-Myanmar checkgate. While a significant portion of Mizoram’s population, especially the youth, supports the idea of making border passes compulsory and scrapping the Free Movement Regime, NGOs in Mizoram and refugees are bearing the brunt of the new imposition.
This directive mandates that individuals crossing the border must obtain a Border Pass, which requires proof of residence within 10 km of the border. This proof must be issued by the village chief, an administrator appointed by the governor, or the officer in charge of the local police station. There are 18 entry and exit points, with Champhai Zokhawthar being the most frequently used. The border pass imposition began as a pilot phase at two entry points—Champhai Zokhawthar and Champhai Hnahlan. In Phase I, the system will be extended to 3 points in Lawngtlai District, and Phase II will cover 13 points across the districts of Champhai, Saitual, Serchhip, Lawngtlai, and Siaha.
A refugee evangelist, Thanga from the Melbuk refugee camp in Zokhawthar, spoke to EastMojo on the condition of anonymity, saying they haven’t faced significant struggles so far as people are still allowed to cross the border to attend church services. Another refugee, Pr Nang Kaih Thang, mentioned that while enforcement was strict in the initial days, it has since relaxed. He said the border pass requirement is a major challenge for those who need to cross the border, especially given the limited crossing time, as they must return by 3:30 pm. “When we travel to the market or run errands, time passes quickly. So we avoid crossing the border unless it’s absolutely necessary,” he explained.
While obtaining a border pass may seem like a simple task of standing in line and seeking permission, for many mothers, this is nearly impossible. A refugee mother, Tin Ni, told EastMojo, “I don’t have time to get permission for a border pass. I have children, including a baby. Between cooking, feeding the kids, and cleaning the house, standing in line under the hot sun with them is just not possible. The queues are usually very long.” She said that, with no other option, she avoids returning to her home country—even for short visits—and stays at the temporary shelter.
For many refugees, day trips to their home country are necessary because their bodies haven’t fully acclimatized to the soil of India. While the food culture is somewhat similar, there are subtle differences in the food and vegetables available in Mizoram compared to Myanmar. Another major concern is medicines. Siami, a refugee living in a temporary shelter in Zokhawthar, told EastMojo that medicines were one of the primary reasons she used to cross the border. “The medicines available in India don’t suit our bodies. They don’t work as well as the ones from Myanmar, so we have to get them from there since our bodies are more accustomed to them,” she explained.
For example, for children, they use Nemil for pain relief and Bai U for headaches. Even common antibiotics like penicillin and amoxicillin differ significantly between the two countries.
Siami shared that one of the biggest struggles refugees face is standing in line for an entire day to obtain a border pass in front of the Assam Rifles offices. As a result, many have resorted to illegally crossing through river streams. The Tiau River, which separates India and Myanmar, is shallow in some areas, allowing people to cross. However, crossing through this route involves climbing down mountains and walking miles to reach the town. Despite the difficulties, this has become the only viable option for people like Siami.
“I support the restrictions if they are necessary to catch the bad actors, but they should recognise us, the ordinary citizens, and make it easier for us to cross,” she said. Siami explained that while strict enforcement at the check gates is important, smugglers do not use the check gates to carry drugs—they use the river streams instead.
Drug smuggling has been a major issue in the region, and sources indicate that it has intensified since the military coup in Myanmar. For instance, in 2024 alone, between January and December 20, joint operations led to the recovery of narcotics such as Heroin No. 4, valued at Rs 245.37 crore, and 196.45 kg of methamphetamine tablets, worth approximately Rs 580 crore. A total of 198 individuals, including 34 Myanmar nationals, were arrested in these operations.
Despite these challenges, groups such as the Zo Reunification Organization (ZRO) have strongly opposed the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime and repeatedly voiced its concerns about the imposition of border passes. The organization issued a statement and, on Tuesday, held a press conference to clarify its stance. The ZRO is a socio-political organization that advocates for the reunification of the Zo people, an ethnic group spread across India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
In a statement, ZRO mentioned that it had raised the issue with the Human Rights Council and the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, expressing concerns that border passes must be obtained not from civil officers or magistrates, but from the Assam Rifles.
Lalramdinliana Renthlei, the General Secretary of ZRO, explained that the Zo people were recognized by the UN as Indigenous People under Index No. 1236524 on May 21, 2004. The organization quoted UNDRIP Article 36, which states that Indigenous peoples, particularly those divided by international borders, have the right to maintain and develop contacts, relations, and cooperation for spiritual, cultural, political, economic, and social purposes, both with their own members and other peoples across borders.
He further stressed that it is ZRO’s policy to ensure that the Zo people in India, Myanmar, and Bangladesh will eventually be united under one administration, as they are connected by blood and cannot be separated.
Also Read: Why indigenous bodies are opposing the Border Pass Policy in Mizoram
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