Ibobi seeks freedom of Manipuri prisoners
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 03 2014: Chief Minister O Ibobi has urged Union Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to take up the issue of six Indian (Manipuri) people who are currently lodged in prisons in Myanmar.

The Chief Minister's letter addressed to the External Affairs Minister was sent on October 16 last after the State Home Department had already moved a proposal to the Ministry of External Affairs to take up the issue of the six Manipuri prisoners with the Government of Myanmar through diplomatic channel.

According to the Chief Minister's letter, the six State natives who are currently lodged in Myanmar prisons are H Yaima alias Suren Khuman s/o H Jugin, K Herojit s/o K Ibohanbi, K Sanjitkumar alias Ibomcha s/o K Ibohanbi, M Sanatomba s/o M Lalitabi, Y Gindle s/o Y Memma and P Open s/o P Tamureima.

They were arrested by Myanmar security forces on June 17 last year while they were allegedly visiting Thoibi-Pat, a legendary lake closely related with an ancient Manipuri princess located within Myanmar territory.

The State Government took up the same issue with the Ministry of External Affairs since September last year.

However, little progress has been achieved on the issue so far, the Chief Minister stated in his letter.

Nonetheless, Anima Barnwal, Under Secretary (Myanmar), Ministry of External Affairs, BSM Division, Government of India informed the State Government on September 17 last year that the Ministry has taken up the matter with the Myanmar side and that Embassy of India in Yangon has issued a note to the Myanmar Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

However, the State Government has not been informed since then regarding whether any further progress has been achieved on the matter.

Ibobi urged External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to expedite the matter through diplomatic channel for early release of the six Indian Nationals.

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