The Assam Rifles has issued a clarification regarding statements made by Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General of Assam Rifles, during a seminar at Manipur University on August 20, 2025.
Certain media outlets had misrepresented the General Officer’s remarks on the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and Myanmarese nationals.
For accuracy, the DG Assam Rifles had stated:
“After the new FMR policy came into effect, the Myanmarese nationals entering India through crossing points are now being mapped. Since December, 42,000 individuals have been mapped with the help of biometrics and various measures instituted by all concerned government agencies. The data is being shared with all government agencies.”
The clarification stressed that these individuals primarily stay temporarily in North Eastern states — Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh — and subsequently revert to their country in accordance with the provisions of the revised FMR policy.
The remarks were delivered as part of an academic collaboration between Assam Rifles and Manipur University, aiming to enhance understanding of border management policies.
The Assam Rifles urged media outlets to present the statement in its correct context to avoid misinterpretation.