82 State power and identification schemes in Rakhine independence movement in Burma, then, was intrinsically linked to struggles relating to class, race, and ethnicity vis-à-vis both the white British colonisers and their Indian neighbours. The movement, however, also sometimes transcended notions of race—some of the key student strike organisers included Burmese-Indians and Muslims who worked alongside other independence leaders after independence (Maung Maung 1956).34 The role of key Muslims in the independence movement and in early nation-building was frequently referred to in Rohingya narratives as one which has been downplayed by today’s Burmese nationalists.35 Burma’s separation from India In 1937, Burma was separated from the rest of British India and was to be administered separately under the 1935 Government of Burma Act. Quelling rebellions through the containment and surveillance was one of the factors in the British move to separate Burma from the rest of British India. Nonetheless, following separation the Burmese nationalists continued to be dominated by British polices and were still unable to assert control over the borders or limit immigration from India. This resulted in further rebellions in 1938 (The Riot Inquiry Committee 1939).36 Following Burma’s separation from India in 1937, immigration into Burma was planned to be regulated under the 1935 Government of Burma Act (section 138). Under the new arrangements, Burma was not able to restrict the entry for British subjects domiciled in the UK, but it was to be able to govern the migration of British subjects domiciled in India (section 44). In areas other than immigration, the 1935 Burma Act protected all British subjects including those domiciled in India from discrimination. Nonetheless, a British Order that covered the first years after separation, ensured that immigration from India was subject to the same arrangements that were in place prior to separation—in other words, no restriction of movement.37 This was put in place due to commercial concerns that immigration controls would impact trade and tariff arrangements between Burma and India. The Order was not to be terminated until April 1942 (Mohan 1955). The Commission of Inquiry on Indian Immigration in 1939 outlined immigration measures to be taken to quell the rising anti-Indian violence. It recommended passports and visas be made mandatory for entry of all Indians into Burma, that Indians already in Burma should be registered, and that all unskilled labour in the ports should be registered (Baxter, Tut et al. 1941). As such, in 1941, an immigration agreement was negotiated between Burma and India that would have seen significant restrictions on entry into Burma of British subjects domiciled in India, dividing them into different visa categories depending on their existing links to Burma. Indians already in Burma were to be documented into three categories: Indians who were born in Burma and chose to make it their permanent home were entitled to remain domiciled in Burma