Imphal, December 08 2008: Consequent upon the indefinite bandh called by the joint action committee of Imphal-Moreh transporters since December 6, cross-border trade between Manipur and Myanmar through Moreh has been virtually put on hold.

The JAC launched the indefinite bandh of Imphal-Moreh route in protest against burning down a passenger Tata Sumo that plied along Imphal-Moreh route by some unidentified persons at Kongkhang village along the route on December 3 .

Commercial activities at Moreh and Namphalong market across the border in Myanmar have come to a grinding halt following the transporters' bandh.

The JAC is a joint body of more than 200 passenger vehicle owners/drivers that do service along Imphal-Moreh route.

The JAC already asked those involved in the arson to explain their action while urging upon the Government to compensate the burnt vehicle.

Maintaining that the stir will continue until and unless their demands are fulfilled, the JAC, however, said that the bandh will be relaxed only for tomorrow in view of the Idul Zuha festival.

The stir has thrown a spanner to the cross-border trade between India and Myanmar through Moreh where over Rs 5 crores are transacted on daily basis.

Incidentally, the list of items for trade between the two countries was increased from 22 to 40 recently.

Loktak conservation: The Union Planning Commission held a review meeting on implementation of Loktak Lake Conservation Project at New Delhi on December 5.Sources informed that the meeting decided to give more emphasis on treatment of catchment area.

The Wetland International, South Asia which visited the State sometime back made a detailed presentation on the Loktak conservation project to Principal Advisor of the Union Planning Commission Jayati Chandra during the review meeting.

A revised detailed project report will be submitted to the Planning Commission within the current month, conveyed the source adding that the estimated cost of the project is Rs 400 crores.

Against this, an amount of Rs 25 crores has been added in the SPA fund for this year.

The project also incorporates a comprehensive plan to remove phoomdi dwellers from Loktak lake by providing them an alternative livelihood, added the source.

CM heads for Delhi: Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh today left for New Delhi to discuss City Development Plan and Loktak Hydro Electric Power Project.

Soon after reaching New Delhi, the Chief Minister have been making efforts to seek appointment with Union Minister of Urban Development Jaipal Reddy and Power Minister Sushilkumar Shindhe, according to information received from Delhi.

After meeting the two Union Ministers, the Chief Minister is expected to call on AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in connection with the success of the Congress party in the Assembly elections at Rajasthan, Delhi and Mizoram as well as the upcoming bye-election to Moirang Assembly Constituency of Manipur, the source said, while informing that so far appointments have not yet been sought in this regard.

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