Governor visits Moreh, engages with community leaders
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, January 10 2025: Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla visited Moreh, a key border town in Tengnoupal district, on Friday as part of efforts to address the unrest prevailing in the state.

During his visit, he met with leaders from various communities and inspected crucial areas, emphasising the government's commitment to fostering peace and development in the state.

The Governor held an interaction with community representatives at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Moreh, where he met leaders from the Kuki Inpi, Tengnoupal district, the Kuki Chiefs' Association, Tengnoupal district, the Hill Tribal Council Moreh, the Kuki Students' Organisation Moreh, and the Kuki Women's Union & Human Rights Moreh.

Governor visits Moreh, engages with community leaders

In the later part of the meeting, he also engaged with leaders from Tamil Sangam Moreh, Gorkha Samaj Samiti Moreh, Manipuri Muslim Council Moreh, Border Trade Chamber of Commerce Moreh, and Bihari Samaj Samiti Moreh.

The discussions revolved around key issues and demands raised by the communities.

These included the establishment of an Inner Line Permit (ILP) office in Moreh, improvement of infrastructure, and the posting of adequate specialist doctors, nurses, and support staff at Moreh hospital.

Other demands included the issuance of electors' photo identity cards, sustaining trade activities, and ensuring free passage within the border town.

The Kuki groups further highlighted the need for a government policy allowing Myanmarese students studying in schools in Moreh to move freely for their education.

During his visit, the Governor also toured significant landmarks, including Indo-Myanmar Friendship Gate No 1 and No 2, Govajang village, and border pillars No 80 and 81.He was accompanied by IGAR South Major General Rav Roop Singh, IGP Themthang Ngashangva, SP Tengnoupal Rahul Gupta, Colonel Rahul Jain of 5 Assam Rifles Moreh, Brigadier Robin Chatterjee of 26 Sector Assam Rifles, and other officials.

During his visit, Kuki organisations submitted a memorandum to the Governor, expressing gratitude for the visit, which they described as reflective of the central government's concern for the prevailing unrest in the state.

The memorandum raised the demand for creation of a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo communities under Article 3 of the Indian Constitution.

They asserted that the majority Meetei community had looted their properties, burned their houses, and killed members of their community, making it impossible for them to return to Imphal or other valley areas dominated by the Meeteis.

They stressed that a separate administration for the Kuki-Zo tribals outside the Manipur valley is essential for their survival, adding that any attempt to resettle Meeteis in the hill areas would be opposed until a political solution was reached.

The second demand called for declaring Meetei groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun as outlawed organisations.

They accused these groups of being the primary perpetrators of violence against the Kuki-Zo people and argued that as long as these groups operated freely, violence would persist.

The third demand rejected any policy for resettlement of Meeteis in hill areas.

They insisted that all their houses and properties in Imphal and its periphery be protected and kept intact, warning that failure to do so would result in retaliatory actions in Kuki-dominated areas, including Moreh.

The fourth demand urged the reinstatement of the functioning of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) office in Moreh.

They argued that the absence of this office created significant hardships for the people of the largest town in Tengnoupal district.