Chin State Chief Minister Salai Lian Luai participated in the opening of an India-Burma border crossing on 9 August, allowing visitors to officially use the India-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2 between Chin and Mizoram states.
The ceremony was held on the Indian side of the border, in Zokhawthar village, Champhai District, Mizoram State. It was part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries known as the Agreement on Land Border Crossing With Myanmar.
In Zokhawthar, the Chin State Minister was met by Mizoram State’s commerce and industries minister H. Rohluna, who opened the crossing jointly and walked the bridge together.
Opening ceremonies were held simultaneously at two border trading gates in Chin State’s Tamu Township and Rikhawdar sub-township.
Rikhawdar’s information director Pu Lalpeklawmatold Khonumthung News that there is no official border pass system yet in place for locals, but that there is an understanding between both sides that allows for travel.
“In this border system, we will issue visiting cards. Visitors with a border pass will get permission to stay for 17 days. Visitors with temporary border passes will only get 7 days. We will issue e-visas soon,” he explained.
With the aim of making the spot an international point of crossing between India and Burma, visitors with officials passport and visas are allowed to use the friendship bridge to go between the two countries, Mizoram daily newspaper The Aizawl Post reported.
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