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No More India-Myanmar Border Free Movement. Amit Shah Cites Internal Security

No More India-Myanmar Border Free Movement. Amit Shah Cites Internal Security

by | Feb 8, 2024 | top-stories


Myanmar shares borders with Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Nagaland (File).

New Delhi:

The Union Home Ministry on Thursday afternoon cited “internal security” and recommended the suspension of the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime – which allows citizens from either nation to cross the border and travel up to 16km into the other without documents like passports or visas.

“It is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “resolve to secure our borders,” Home Minister Amit Shah said, “Ministry of Home Affairs has decided Free Movement Regime (will) be scrapped to ensure internal security of the country, and to maintain demographic structure of north-eastern states.”

Earlier this week Mr Shah said India will fence the entire 1,643-km Myanmar border – as part of the Modi government’s plan for “impenetrable borders” and build a patrolling track next to the barrier.

The Home Minister said a 10-km stretch in Manipur’s Moreh has already been fenced, and two pilot projects that involve a “hybrid surveillance system” – each covering one kilometre – are in operation.

“Additionally, fence works covering approximately 20km in Manipur have been approved.”

READ | India To Fence Entire 1,643-Km Border With Myanmar: Amit Shah

The suspension of the FMR and fencing of the border follows ethnic violence in Manipur last year between the Kuki-Zo tribes, who share ethnic ties with communities in Myanmar’s Chin State, and the Meiteis. Nearly 200 people were killed in those clashes and tens of thousands were displaced.

The Meiteis have argued that unchecked entry of illegal immigrants from Myanmar – using the FMR – over a period of decades was one of the factors behind the violence. The Kuki-Zos have refuted this charge and have accused Chief Minister N Biren Singh of inciting the Meitei community for votes.

Mr Singh’s administration has also backed scrapping of the FMR and fencing of the border, claiming insurgents from Myanmar, as well as illegal immigrants and drug traffickers are misusing the policy.

Speaking to NDTV last month, Mr Singh blamed earlier governments (he did not name the Congress) saying, “… centre at that time left us alone. There is (still) no security. There is Assam Rifles… but they can’t handle counter-insurgency and guard the border. And now we have militants…”

READ | “If There Was Border Fencing…”: Manipur Chief Minister’s Jab OFMR

Shortly after Mr Shah’s announcement today, Mr Singh thanked both the Home Minister and the Prime Minister, for their “commitment to securing our borders”.

“This is yet another historic decision in curbing illegal immigration and strengthening our internal security after the recent announcement to fence the 1643 Km Indo-Myanmar border by government.”

Government sources have also said nearly 600 Myanmar Army soldiers have crossed into India in the past few months, and have taken refuge in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district after losing battles with Arakan Army militants – an ethnic armed group in the western Myanmar’s Rakhine.

Manipur’s neighbour, Mizoram, however, told the government it will oppose any move to remove the FMR or fence the border. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, elected in November, has said it is incorrect for people of the same ethnic group (living either side of the border) to be separated.

Mizoram shares a 510-km-long border with Myanmar, Manipur 390 km, Arunachal Pradesh 520 km, and Nagaland 215 km.

What Is India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime

The FMR allows people entry without visa and passport. It began as a system to allow tribes with shared kinship, social and ethnic ties on both sides of the border to visit their families.

NDTV Explains | Why India-Myanmar FMR Will Be Scrapped

The Free Movement Regime was implemented in 1970 and revived by the Narendra Modi government in 2016 as part of its ‘Act East’ policy,

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Maldives At High Risk Of Foreign Debt Crisis, After China Borrowings: IMF

Maldives At High Risk Of Foreign Debt Crisis, After China Borrowings: IMF

by | Feb 7, 2024 | top-stories


Maldives President thanked China last month for its “selfless assistance”

The strategically-placed Indian Ocean nation of the Maldives, which has borrowed heavily from China and shifted allegiance from India, is at high risk of “debt distress,” the IMF warned Wednesday.

Beijing has pledged more funding for the Maldives since pro-China President Mohamed Muizzu took power in November.

Muizzu thanked China last month for its “selfless assistance” for development funds after a visit to Beijing.

The International Monetary Fund did not give details of the Maldives’ foreign debt but said there was a need for “urgent policy adjustment”.

“Without significant policy changes, the overall fiscal deficits and public debt are projected to stay elevated,” the IMF said after a review of the country’s economy.

“The Maldives remains at high risk of external and overall debt distress”.

The archipelago, famed for its white sand beaches and where tourism accounts for nearly a third of the economy, has recovered economically from the Covid-19 pandemic.

But while a planned airport expansion and an increase in hotels are projected to boost growth, the IMF said “uncertainty surrounding the outlook remains high and risks are tilted to the downside.”

Muizzu’s mentor, former president Abdulla Yameen, who ruled for five years until 2018, borrowed heavily from Beijing for construction projects.

That left it owing 42 per cent of its more than $3 billion foreign debt to China in 2021, according to the World Bank, citing the Maldives’ finance ministry.

Muizzu, who has requested that Indian troops operating three reconnaissance aircraft in the Maldives leave by May 10, has vowed to strengthen his military to defend the country’s vast maritime territory.

Global east-west shipping lanes pass through the nation’s chain of 1,192 tiny coral islands, stretching around 800 kilometres across the equator.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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2-Year-Old Boy Falls Into Borewell In Gujarat Village, Rescue Ops On

2-Year-Old Boy Falls Into Borewell In Gujarat Village, Rescue Ops On

by | Feb 7, 2024 | top-stories


The child fell into the borewell around 6:30 pm, officials said.

Jamnagar, Gujarat:

A two-year-old boy fell into a borewell at Govana village in Gujarat’s Jamnagar on Tuesday evening, officials said.

The child fell into the borewell around 6:30 pm.

According to officials, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has reached the spot, and efforts are underway to rescue the trapped child.

“Rescue operations have been ongoing for the past four hours. Two teams of fire service are assisting. An SDRF team from Rajkot and a team of NDRF from Vadodara have also been called,” Katan Chavda, executive magistrate, told ANI.

Further details are awaited.

Earlier in January, a three-year-old girl who fell into a borewell in Gujarat’s Dwarka district died while being taken to the hospital within an hour after her rescue.

The girl, identified as Angel Sakhra, was rescued after an eight-hour-long operation and was taken to a government hospital in Khambhalia town where she was declared brought dead.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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Murder In 5-Star Hotel Over Intimate Pics Solved In Less Than Half A Day

Murder In 5-Star Hotel Over Intimate Pics Solved In Less Than Half A Day

by | Feb 6, 2024 | top-stories


The couple flew to Guwahati together but parted their ways on reaching Guwahati. (File)

Guwahati:

A love triangle ended in a brutal murder at a five-star hotel in Guwahati on Monday, and was solved swiftly before the accused could fly half a thousand kilometres away to Kolkata.

Sandip Suresh Kambli, 42, was found dead last afternoon at the Azara hotel near Guwahati airport. The accused – Anjali Shaw, 25, and her boyfriend Rakesh Shaw, 27 – were to board a flight to Kolkata later in the night, but prompt police response led to their arrest before they could reach the airport.

Kambli, a car dealer from Pune, was first spotted by hotel staff lying on the floor of his room, bleeding profusely from his nose.

Anjali, who worked at a restaurant at the Kolkata airport, was in a relationship with Kambli, who she had befriended at the airport last year, said sources.

However, this led to complications since Anjali was already in a relationship with Rakesh, who had been pressurising her to marry him. What complicated the issue further was that the victim had intimate pictures with her on his phone, Anjali said during her interrogation.

This prompted the couple – Anjali and Rakesh – to devise a plan to confront Kambli over those photos. They had earlier planned to meet at the Kolkata airport, but Kambli moved it to Guwahati, where he booked a room in the five-star hotel.

The couple flew to Guwahati together but parted their ways on reaching there. Rakesh booked a room for himself in the same hotel without Kambli’s knowledge.

As per their plan, Anjali was joined by Kambli in the city and they checked in at the hotel together, the sources said. Meanwhile, Rakesh arrived separately.

During their meeting, Rakesh’s arrival enraged Kambli and a fight erupted between the two. The fight left Kambli injured, seeing which the couple fled. They also took away two mobile phones belonging to Kambli – which allegedly had their intimate photos.

A phone call from Rakesh later in the day alerted the hotel authorities and they informed the Guwahati city police. The cops promptly went through the hotel register, CCTV footage, and airport passengers’ list to zero in on the two suspects. Anjali and Rakesh were arrested near the hotel before they could board the 9:15 pm flight to Kolkata.

The case remains under investigation as the cops are trying to piece together the events that led to their fight.



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“It Hit Bull's Eye”: PM Modi On Opposition Outcry Over Action By Agencies

“It Hit Bull's Eye”: PM Modi On Opposition Outcry Over Action By Agencies

by | Feb 5, 2024 | top-stories


“During their (UPA) tenure, investigative agencies were used for political purposes only,” he said

New Delhi:

Amid the continuous attack by the leaders of the Opposition over actions taken by the central agencies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a jibe, saying that the crackdown by the agencies are only against corruption.

PM Modi, while speaking in the Lower House of Parliament during a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, attacked the opposition over their ‘outcry’ over the action by the central agencies.

“They express their anger… I understand their pain, and their problem because it has hit the bull’s eye (teer nishane par laga hai). The agencies are taking action against corruption. Earlier, the entire time of the House was spent on discussing scams and corruption. There was a constant demand for action, there were only reports of corruption everywhere. Today, when action is taken against the corrupt, these people create a ruckus in their support,” he said.

He also said that the cases of money laundering were registered in his regime twice as many as earlier.

“During their (UPA) tenure, investigative agencies were used for political purposes only. Let me shed some light- Under the PMLA, we registered twice the cases than earlier. During the tenure of Congress, ED confiscated properties of Rs 5,000 crore only. However, during our tenure, the ED has confiscated properties worth Rs 1 lakh crore. You will have to shell out the plundered money…,” he said.

PM Modi further said that it has become very difficult for middlemen to rob the poor due to his good governance.

“DBT, Jan Dhan account, Aadhaar, mobile… we have recognised its power. We have transferred more than Rs 30 lakh crore directly into people’s accounts. Earlier, a Congress Prime Minister (Rajiv Gandhi) had said that if we send Rs 100, only 15 paise reaches the poor, but now, there is nothing like that,” he added.

PM Modi also came down heavily on the previous Congress government over the issue of inflation and said that the grand old party has powered inflation whenever it has been elected to Centre.

“Two songs on inflation were superhits in our country – ‘Mehngai Mar Gayi’ and ‘Mehngai Dayain Khaye Jaat Hai’. Both of these songs came during Congress’ governance. Inflation was in double digits during UPA’s tenure, it can’t be denied. What was their government’s logic? Insensitivity. They said – you can have expensive ice creams but why do you cry about inflation?…Whenever Congress came to power, it strengthened inflation.”

He also said that his government has kept inflation under control.

“We have kept inflation under control in spite of two global wars and once in a lifetime pandemic,” asserted PM Modi.

PM Modi, in his address, criticised the Congress over a range of issues, including unemployment, issues of OBC, dynastic politics, and its approach as the opposition party.

He also quoted the late PM Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech, saying that he felt Indians were not as intelligent and hard-working as the Europeans.

Quoting late PM Indira Gandhi, PM Modi added that she felt that whenever the country was progressing, people were involved in self-interest.

“They were wrong about Indians, but they were right about the Congress party. Congress’ mindset is that it has never trusted the capabilities of the country. It considered itself rulers and the public as someone lesser, someone smaller…” he added.

PM further said from “every word of their speech, I and the country are now convinced that they have resolved to sit for a long time in the opposition”.

“I really commend the resolution of the opposition. From every word of their speech, I and the country are now convinced that they have resolved to sit for a long time in the opposition. The way you sat here (in government) for many decades, the same way you resolve to sit there (in opposition),” he said.

About sixty speakers took part in the debate on the motion of thanks on the President’s address in Lok Sabha. The Budget Session commenced on January 31 and will conclude on February 9.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)



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Daily Horoscope for Monday, February 05, 2024, for all zodiac signs by astrologer Vinayak Vishwas Karandikar

Daily Horoscope for Monday, February 05, 2024, for all zodiac signs by astrologer Vinayak Vishwas Karandikar

by | Feb 4, 2024 | top-stories


ARIES

Today is the day to focus on studies and career

Finance: Expect expenditure for house/ vehicle / advertise /communication/health

Career: People in fields like education / automobile /publication/ communication will be benefited

Domestic & love life: Mother’s ill health / family dispute is indicated.

Health: Some people may suffer from throat /nerves system / skin / ear problem

Lucky no: 9

Lucky colour: Red

TAURUS

Today is the day to enjoy/ entertain /communication

Finance: Expect expenditure for children / entertainment / family needs/ communication

Career: People in fields like networking / journalism /entertainment/ share market will get benefited.

Domestic & love life: Enjoyment with family is indicated

Health: some people may suffer from throat infection

Lucky no: 6

Lucky colour: Pink

GEMINI

Today is the day to study/ do household activities

Finance: expect expenditure for education /vehicle/ family needs

Career: People from education/ communication/ publication/ courier will get success.

Domestic & love life: ill health to mother / maintenance in house is indicated

Health: Some people may suffer from Throat /tooth ache / eye / breathing problem

Lucky no: 5

Lucky colour: Green

CANCER

Today is the day to travel /invest /expenditure

Finance: Expect expenditure for health / communication/travel

Career: People in fields like journalism / tourism / literature / publication will get success

Domestic & love life: Travel with family members is indicated

Health: some people may suffer from cough and cold/ throat pain/breathing

Lucky no: 2

Lucky colour: Silver

LEO

Today you will get maturity of your investments.

Finance: Expect expenditure for travel/medical treatment/investment

Career: People in fields like finance co. / bank /communication /consultants will get benefited.

Domestic & love life: Enjoy long journey with family

Health: Some people may suffer from skin / throat / coughing

Lucky no: 1

Lucky colour: Orange

VIRGO

Today is the day to focus on your career. You will not depend on others

Finance: Expect expenditure on advertise/communication / sports/personality

Career: People in fields like advertise/communication/publication/entertainment/ sports will be benefited

Domestic & love life: Today you may not spend time with your family due to job responsibility

Health: Some people may suffer from bronchitis / knee pain

Lucky no: 5

Lucky colour: Green

LIBRA

Today is the day to travel /study

Finance: Expect expenditure for travel/ education

Career: People in fields like tourism/education/law / marketing/communication will be benefited.

Domestic & love life: You may go for a long journey/ attend religious activity

Health: Some people may suffer from throat pain / feet pain / bronchitis

Lucky no: 6

Lucky colour: Pink

SCORPIO

Today gains are connected with some loss

Finance: Expenses on education /travel are indicated.

Career: People in fields like networking /occult /research/ journalism will be benefited

Domestic & love life: Dispute with younger sibling/ father is indicated

Health: Some people may suffer from skin problems /asthma / cough

Lucky no: 9

Lucky colour: Red

SAGITTARIUS

Today is the day to struggle/loss

Finance: Expect expenditure for premiums/ business/ spouse

Career: People in fields like consultant/literature/ publication/communication will get success.

Domestic & love life: You may not give attention to your family due to job responsibility.

Health: Some people may suffer from throat problem/ dysentery/ indigestion

Lucky no: 3

Lucky colour: Yellow

CAPRICORN

Today is the day to study/travel/ take care of health

Finance: Expenses for education /business/spouse/travel /health are indicated

Career: People in fields like medical /communication/publication /media will be benefited.

Domestic & love life: Married people may face dispute with spouse

Health: Some people may suffer from throat pain/bronchitis/skin problem

Lucky no: 8

Lucky colour: Blue

AQUARIUS

Today loss / damage / injury is indicated so plan accordingly

Finance: Expect expenditure for premiums/ children/ repairing/ health/travel

Career: People in fields like occult science/cyber security/call centers will be benefited

Domestic & love life: Dispute with children/ maternal family is indicated

Health: Some people may suffer from bronchitis / throat /skin problems.

Lucky no: 8

Lucky colour: Black

PISCES

Today is the day for celebrations / reunion / party/study

Finance: Expect expenditure for entertainment/ vehicle/ study/ house/ spouse/ businness

Career: People in fields like event management /education/ journalism / publication will be benefited.

Domestic & love life: Those who are in relationship can tie their knot. Married couples can enjoy romantic date

Health: Some people may suffer from cough/asthma

Lucky no: 3

Lucky colour: Yellow




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