Bandh greets team, Imphal-Moreh road stretch raises hackles of MPs
MPs take stock of border trade, briefed on needed steps
Source: The Sangai Express

Moreh, May 28: Amidst the indefinite bandh being called along the Imphal-Moreh Road of the NH-39 since 6 pm yesterday, the delegates of the Sub-Committee-II of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce arrived at Moreh by road today to monitor the activities of the Indo-Myanmar border trade.

To ensure no untoward incident occured during the visit of the delegates, ADC Moreh TH Chothe clamped restriction under Cr PC 144 from 6 am to 7 pm today and deployed adequate security.

However, the Parliamentary team took a grave note of the deplorable condition of the road from Imphal to Moreh and the impact of the indefinite bandh being called jointly by Meetei Council, Moreh; AMSU Chandel District Committee and Kha-Nongpok Apunba Nupi Lup in protest against the activities of the UGs along the said road stretch, wondering how the traders carry on with their activities in such a situation.

President of Moreh Meitei Council receiving the leader of the Parliamentary team at Moreh

Soon after their arrival, the five-member delegation led by Committee convenor former Union Textiles Minister and MP Kashiram Rana and accompanying officials met the representatives of Border Trade of Commerce and community leaders.

Later the delegation went to inspect the office of the Land Customs located at Gate No.I, bridge at the border serving as the trade transit point and the Gate No.2 .

During the course of the meeting at Land Customs Office, a team of representatives from Border Trade of Commerce led by its general secretary Surendra Singh Patheja raised many points related to ensuring adequate security for creating a conducive atmosphere for the border trade from dispatch point to delivery point, protection of the business community, border fencing, opening just one entry and exit point among others.

After the meeting at the Land Customs office, the delegates went to the office of Hill Tribal Council (HTC) to interact with its office bearers.

At the occasion HTC general secretary submitted a memorandum urging for speeding up the task of setting up the proposed Integrated Check Post, implementation of the already finalised land valuation and going ahead with the proposed border fencing.

Upon reaching Moreh, the delegates of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce arrived at the Moreh Trade Centre where members of Meetei Council, Moreh led by its president L Imobi handed over a memorandum urging for upgrading Moreh town to the status of a municipality, increasing the items of free trade, deployment of National Highway Protection force along Imphal-Moreh Road, taking up necessary measures for increasing the trade volume and stop extortion along the National Highway 39 stretch from Imphal to Moreh among others.

A meeting was also held at the conference hall of the Trade Centre along with ground level officers of Moreh.

During the meeting, OSD briefed the delegates on the progress of the construction work of a rest house for traders being undertaken at the Trade Centre as well as on the proposed Composite Check Post.

Afterward, the MP delegates went to inspect the condition of the Indo-Myanmar Bridge and Gate No.II .