Imphal, June 21: In an effort to bring peace and harmony in the trouble-torn border town of Moreh, Lok Sabha MP Mani Charenamei today toured the border town and interacted with various community leaders in the area.

Tamei MLA N Awangbow and Chandel MLA Thongkhulun Haokip accompanied the Lok Sabha MP.

Charenamei while meeting the Meitei Council, Moreh (MCM) leaders at one mandop in Moreh has urged council leaders to continue endeavour and peaceful co-existence of all the communities in the commercial border area.

The MP harped on the importance of communal harmony for economic development.

Charenamei gave the credit to the Hill Tribal Council (HTC) and the Meitei Council, Moreh (MCM) for restoration of normalcy in the border town after the recent communal flare up.

Speaking on the occasion, president of the Meitei Council Moreh (MCM) L Imobi asserted that the ethnic problems in the border town have been the main cause for the tardy pace of economic progress.

Imobi also feared that if the extortion and ethnic fightings continue further the Myanmar authority may shut down the trade stream in the border area and shift it to elsewhere where the business will find a conducive atmosphere.

The MCM leader further noted that communal harmony and violent free situation are the key factors for progress and economic growth.

Imobi disclosed some five years ago there were about 9700 Tamils in Moreh town but now there are hardly 2100 of them.

About 300 Marwaris were there few years ago but today one could find only some 50 of the community, according to the MCM president, adding, �the presence of the Punjabis in the area is none�.

With this L Imobi requested the Lok Sabha MP to initiate investigation on why the business communities are fast disappearing from the trading town of Moreh.

The MCM then appealed the Nagas who had fled during the Kuki-Naga ethnic clash to come back to Moreh and resume their business.

Earlier, Mani Charenamei while interacting with Kuki leaders at the HTC office has urged the tribal leaders to be cautious and take extra care in the multi ethnic society like Moreh town.

He said that the differences and ethnic tensions among the various communities will hamper economic development.

He urged the Moreh community leaders to take full advantages of the introduction of the Look East Policy which he said would be a boon for the commercial hub such as Moreh town.

The MP further said that in the event of any communal flare up, it�s only the poor people that will be most affected and not the rich and the well to do section of the people.

Meanwhile MLA N Awangbow said he will try his best to lend support for maintaining harmony and peace in the area.

Awangbow said that as a legislator he will talk to his colleagues in the Assembly in this regard so that complete peace and the favourable atmosphere prevails in the border town of Moreh.