the Friendship Bridge No. 2 border crossing between Rikhawdar Town in Myanmar’s Chin State/Photo:Zonet TV channel
Mizzima
On 1 May 2024, India will indefinitely close the Friendship Bridge No. 2 border crossing between Rikhawdar Town in Myanmar’s Chin State and Zokhawthar Town in India’s Mizoram State.
Previously, on 17 April 2024, the Indian authorities started restricting movement across the border. Then, on 19 April at about 5:00 pm the Assam Rifles, under instructions from the Indian Government, closed the crossing to all trade and people for the Mizoram State elections.
The crossing was reopened on 20 April, but restrictions were placed on who could cross. Currently, the transport of goods across the border is restricted and the only people who can cross are students or people travelling to receive medical treatment or people travelling for emergencies.
Chin defence forces attacked and captured Rikhawdar Town on 14 November 2023. Since then they have established the Hualngoram Administration Department to oversee the Town
An official from the Hualngoram Administration Department said: “The potential closure of the bridge in the upcoming month, will adversely affect education, healthcare, economy, and society for the people of Myanmar.”
He explained that the border closure would also impact over 200 students who travel every day from Myanmar to Mizoram to study, as well as negatively affecting border trade and those who rely on it for their livelihoods.
He said that the border closure would also negatively impact people who depend on food imports, particularly those who depend on rice imported from India.
Many displaced people (IDPs) from Myanmar are sheltering in Rikhawdar Town and locals are worried that when the border shuts the IDPs will not be able to receive enough food.
Many people on the Myanmar side rely on essential goods from the Indian side of the border and they will also have problems after the border crossing closes.
The border restrictions could also lead to a rise in commodity prices, smuggling and other illegal activities, according to the Hualngoram Administration official.
In February 2024 the Indian Government announced that it would rescind the Free Movement Regime agreed with Myanmar that allows locals from either side to move freely across the border without any formalities, as long as they stay within 16km of the border.
At the same time, the Indian government also announced that it would erect a fence along its entire 1,643 km frontier with Myanmar.
The announcement of the upcoming 1 May border restrictions was made by the Mizoram-based Zonet TV channel on 20 April and relayed to village officials on both sides of the border by an officer from the Indian Assam Rifles.
