Moreh almost deserted, border trade freezes
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 13 2024: All the euphoria and high expectations of a flourishing cross-border trade created by the opening of the IndoMyanmar border trade through Moreh have disappeared with the border town now almost deserted.

It was on January 21, 1994 that the Indo-Myanmar Border Trade Agreement was signed before the cross-border trade was formally opened on April 12, 1995 .

The border trade brought about economic growth to a large number of people of both Myanmar and Manipur (India) .

Some local businessmen were so successful that they could make their mark at the global level.

On account of the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023 with Churachandpur as its epicentre, not a single Meitei now lives at Moreh.

In the absence of their own community, Meiteis who want to go back to Moreh and live there are afraid of going back.

On the night of May 3, 2023 itself, Kukis attacked the Meiteis of Moreh and burnt down their houses.

The Meitei localities were attacked for the second time in the last week of May 2023 and again in the last week of July.

Kukis burnt down all the Meiteis houses, shops and hotels one after another.

Thus, Kukis reduced all the houses and other properties of Meiteis to ashes.

There was heavy exchange of fire on December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2024 at Moreh.

Talking to The Sangai Express over telephone, some police personnel who are currently posted at Moreh said that security forces are able to maintain law and order properly at the border town at present.

There is a strong presence of Special Commandos and Moreh Police Commandos and they have succeeded in dominating the Meitei settlement areas.

Even though Kukis attempt to create disturbances, and law and order problems at times, security forces are able to contain all disturbances.

Even though Meitei settlement areas have been dominated by the security forces, no steps have been initiated yet to resettle Meiteis at Moreh.

None of the houses, shops and hotels burnt down by Kukis have been reconstructed/renovated till date.

There is very little movement of people/vehicles on Imphal-Moreh highway.

Except for some men belonging to Tamil, Bihari and Muslim communities, no people are travelling on Imphal-Moreh highway.

The Government has not yet taken up any effective security measures to enable people of all communities move freely on the highway.

Meanwhile, the border trade is almost dead.

Yet, some shops are still open at Namphalong across the international border in Myanmar.

On the other hand, BRTF has initiated border fencing work and the border fencing work is going on in the Kwatha area.

"We have heard that border fencing work has started in the areas of border pillar numbers 79, 80, 81 and 82," said the police personnel.

Comment