On January 27, 2025, the Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) submitted a formal memorandum to Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah, urging the Government of India to reconsider its decision to terminate the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and proceed with the fencing of the Indo-Myanmar border. The memorandum was presented to the Home Minister through Mizoram Governor General VK Singh.

The Mizo Zirlai Pawl, a prominent student organization representing the Mizo cognate groups, expressed deep concerns about the potential cultural and economic consequences of these moves. The organization highlighted that the termination of the FMR and the construction of a border fence could sever vital cross-border links that have existed for generations between communities in India and Myanmar.

In the letter, the MZP emphasized that the border, which was drawn during British colonial rule, historically divided communities who had no such boundaries before colonization. The group underscored the artificial and disruptive nature of these borders, pointing to the many ancestral and historical sites located within Myanmar’s Chin State that are central to the Mizo people’s identity and heritage.

The MZP noted that the Free Movement Regime has played a critical role in maintaining cultural, economic, and familial ties between the Mizo people on both sides of the border. The regime has facilitated participation in cultural and religious ceremonies, such as weddings, funerals, and traditional rites, while also enabling the sharing of natural resources essential for the livelihood of both Indian and Myanmar-based Mizo communities.

The memorandum also referenced India's commitment as a signatory to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), 2007, which recognizes the right of indigenous peoples to maintain and develop cross-border relationships. The MZP stressed that the decision to end the FMR and build a fence is in contradiction with India’s international commitments, particularly regarding the rights of indigenous communities.

The MZP concluded by appealing for a review of the decision, urging the government to consider the social, cultural, and economic implications for the Mizo communities. The group called for a solution that would respect the long-standing interconnectedness of the people on both sides of the border while ensuring their rights are upheld in line with international human rights standards.

As of now, the Government of India has not responded publicly to the memorandum, but the MZP’s appeal marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate surrounding border management, indigenous rights, and cross-border relations in the region.