Recent visit of Mizoram by US envoy 'without any prior intimation' came as a surprise : Mizoram CM Lalduhoma

The Govt of  India has been closely tracking and watching the situation in the border areas after China and the US involved themselves in Myanmar conflict. 

The recent visit of Mizoram by the US ambassador to India without any prior intimation also came as a surprise, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma said in the state assembly. 

The Union home ministry re-imposed the 'protected area regime' in Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram to monitor the movement of foreigners. 

The CM said nearly 2,000 foreigners visited Aizawl between June and December in 2024 alluding to the fears that their main intention had been to cross into Myanmar and interfere in internal matters in that country. 

He said foreigners, including those from the US and the UK are crossing into Myanmar via Mizoram to impart arms training to rebels there. Intense firefight is on between Myanmar insurgent groups and the military junta in Myanmar since 2021 when the coup was staged by the army leadership.  

In early 2024, soon after Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the Govt of India decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar; Mizoram CM Lalduhoma had visited New Delhi to convey Mizo people's opposition against border fencing along the Myanmar border with Mizoram. 

However, he had been practical and said as the Chief Minister of the state he had no power to prevent the Govt of India take any decision on border fencing as the subject fell under Central government's prerogative and powers vis-a-vis national security. 

But during the assembly proceedings, the chief minister said that Mizoram was “being secretly used as a transit route by foreigners travelling to Myanmar, which has become a grave concern for the Centre.”  

This statement is seen in security circle as a great 'win' for Amit Shah's policy decision that the border fencing should be carried out at the earliest in the borders along Myanmar and three Indian states of Mizoram, Nagaland and Manipur.  

The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) leader also stated during the Question Hour that though initially his government was opposed to New Delhi re-imposing Protected Area Permit (PAP) on Mizoram (besides two other northeastern states) last year, it later understood why the Union government thought it necessary.

The ZPM had ousted MNF in 2023 assembly election and is not an ally of BJP.