Killing of two traders at Tamu evokes mass protest, Moreh rallies
Source: The Sangai Express

Moreh, February 21 2014 : A public rally was held today at Moreh against the killing of two traders even as a Ministerial team led by Govindas Konthoujam rushed to Moreh to take stock of the situation.

Meanwhile, two Ministers of Myanmar's Sagiang Division who were on a mission to Guwahati via Imphal were sent back from Moreh due to the high tension prevailing in the border town in the aftermath of the killing of the two traders.

The two Ministers were scheduled to catch a flight to Guwahati from Imphal.

The rally participated by public of the border town cutting across communities began in front of the Gurudwara Temple, Moreh Bazar this morning around 8.30 and converged at the starting point where a public meeting was held after touching the Indo-Myanmar Border Iron Bridge at Gate No 1, Dalpati road, Gate No 2, Muslim Nagar, Chavangphai and Heinoumakhong Leikai.

A protest rally staged at Moreh against the killing of two traders in Tamu

Placards reading 'Is Myanmar a killing field,' 'Does friendship mean to kill,' 'Do we pay Rs 10 to be killed?' 'Indians respect human life why not Myanmar?' 'Do we obtain entry pass to be killed,' 'Stop denying Myanmar,' etc were displayed during the rally.

The bodies of Sanvendar Singh (30) from UP and Daljeet Singh (33) from Maharashtra, who went missing after entering Myanmar's Tamu district via Moreh ten days back, were found inside a jungle near Jangnomphai village about 45 Kms from Moreh police station yesterday.

Meanwhile, a Ministerial team led by Sericulture Minister Govindas Konthoujam, who rushed to Moreh to take stock of the situation, held a public meeting this evening at Moreh Bazar.

The team comprised of IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip, MLA D Korungthang, and Chandel ADC Chairman, Lhukhosei Zou.

Govindas Konthoujam has also apprised the incident of the killing of two Indian nationals in Myanmar to the Indian Ambassador to Myanmar, Gautam Mukhopadhyay today.

In a free trade regime, both countries should ensure protection of traders' lives within their respective territories, Govindas said.

During a telephonic conversation, the Ambassador reportedly assured the Minister that he would seriously place the matter before the Myanmar Govt.Later, the Ministerial team held a meeting with all community leaders of Moreh along with Moreh ADC Robert Singh Ksh and SDPO/Immigration Officer, at the IB hall of Moreh PS.

Speaking at the meeting, HTC President, Jangmang Haokip blamed the Myanmar authority for the killing while pointing out that the identity cards of the two deceased traders were with the Myanmar Immigration authority until five days after their disappearance.

President of Tamil Sangam, V Sekhar pointed out that Indians are never safe in Myanmar's territory.

While there is no report about the death of any Myanmar national in Indian territory for the last five years, there have been many reports about the death of Indians within the neighbour's territory in a short span of two years.

This says a lot about the insecurity of Indians on Myanmar side.

MCM President M Thoiba questioned the value of paying Rs 10 to obtain entry pass when two genuine entry pass holders were found killed.

He further said that the missing report of the two traders was filed ten days back.

Surender Singh Patheja, leader of the Sikh community and Border Trade and Chambers of Commerce said that the Myanmar authority did not extend any cooperation in tracing the two missing persons since the missing report was filed ten days back.

Despite repeated persuasions from the ADC Moreh and SDPO/Immigration Officer of the Indian side, the Myanmar authority failed to take up any measure to trace the duo.

Little cooperation was extended only when the dead bodies were found.

Minister Govindas Konthoujam said that now is a time to teach a lesson to the Myanmar authority for pretending to not know what have happened in its territory.

He said that the Indian traders should not go into Myanmar until a solid assurance is given by the Myanmarese authority.

Suggesting that ASEAN countries should be urged to pile pressure against such activities to Myanmar, Govindas appealed the Moreh community leaders to relax the ongoing stir in the Indian side.

IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip said cross-border activities should be stopped until an assurance comes from the Myanmar side.

As the killing took place within its territory, the Myanmar Govt should also share ex-gratia to the deceased families.

The Ministerial team unequivocally condemned the inhumane killing of the two Indian traders while also sharing the grief of the bereaved families.

The team also appealed for calm and maintain peaceful coexistence of all communities in the border town.

At the same time, the All Community Welfare Committee of Moreh has written to the Myanmar's Ambassador to India highlighting security lapse to Indian citizens entering Myanmar through official gate at the border and bringing to his notice about the killing of two Indians being killed in Myanmar after obtaining pass.