Manipur Governor meets public leaders at Moreh

Sobhapati Samom

MOREH, Aug 28 – Manipur and Nagaland Governor Ashwani Kumar, accompanied by his wife and other officials, today visited the border town of Moreh, 110 km south of Imphal. He drove straight to the Indo-Myanmar border bridge and inspected the Border Pillar No. 77 and the proposed Integrated Check Post site near Moreh Gate No. 1.

Later, the Governor interacted with public leaders of various communities residing in the international border town at the Moreh Trade Centre Conference Hall.

Most public leaders including leaders of the Hill Tribal Council, Meitei Council, Moreh, Tamil Sangam, Meitei Muslim Council, Moreh, and Moreh Chamber of Commerce urged the Governor to redress grievances relating to water supply, border fencing, communication facilities, highway expansion, etc.

The Governor assured the leaders that he would take up the matter with the authorities concerned on his return to Imphal.

“The State is aware of it (border issue),” said the Governor in response to a question on the border issue arising out of the 10-km border fencing at Moreh. “Action is being taken as per requirements.”

Stating that a better road is the need of the hour, he said the Government is thinking of building a new bypass from Kohima to ease traffic flow into the region.

“The reason behind my visit to Moreh town is to examine the problems being faced by the people by meeting them personally,” he said and added that he was impressed by the market at Moreh and termed the town as an international, cosmopolitan one.

The Governor’s Secretary, RK Nimai, Deputy Commissioner, Chandel district, Chittaranjan, DIG Kh Chandramani, Assam Rifles officers and district officials accompanied the Governor.

On Monday, a high-level State committee, led by Principal Secretary (Home) Dr J Suresh Babu inspected the disputed areas of Govajang and Holenphai at Moreh as per the Government’s directive to address the public outcry over the possibility of losing a large portion of land once the ongoing border fencing works are completed.

Meanwhile, Manipur’s Lok Sabha MP Dr Thokchom Meinya raised the issue of the reported Myanmarese military intrusion in the Parliament today.

According to reports available here, MP Meinya drew the attention of the Ministries of Home, External Affairs and Defence to the reports about Myanmarese military intrusion in the North-eastern Region.

“It is reported that Myanmarese intrusion is taking place at Holenphai village, located 3 km south of Moreh Police Station close to the international border pillar number 76, in Chandel district of Manipur,” said the MP. It is essential to look into the report and find out whether it is correct or not. If the report is true, all kinds of necessary action – diplomatic, military and otherwise – must be taken at the earliest.”