Imphal: Manipur Governor Sushri Anusuiya Uikey visited the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal District on Tuesday and inspected the Integrated Check Post (ICP) there. The Governor interacted with district-level officers, representatives of various civil society organisations (CSOs), and people in an interaction programme held at the auditorium of ICP.
The Governor heard about the issues and grievances faced by the people in the border town arising out of the disturbances in the bordering country, Myanmar, halting all business activities in the town for the last many years and scaling all routes between India and Myanmar through Moreh town. She assured them to extend all possible help for the welfare of the people in the town.
Addressing the gathering, the Governor said, keeping in mind the current situation in Myanmar, the state government as well as the Centre are taking steps to ensure the safety and security of people living in the border town. She said the humanitarian crisis created by the situation in Myanmar is well known, and we, as a democratic country that believes in human rights, have certain obligations. However, the lack of regulation and proper documentation for illegal immigrants is a cause for concern.
She stated that, taking the matter of the influx of foreign immigrants seriously, the state government has constituted a high-powered Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Minister TA & Hills Letpao Haokip. Such steps by the government will arouse the apprehension of the indigenous population, which has valid reasons for concern about the prospect of illegal immigrants.
The governor continued that the district administration has started the identification and verification of illegal immigrants found settling in the border villages of the district. She appealed to all stakeholders, including CSOs, to extend cooperation to the government in identifying the illegal immigrants in the district.
The Governor further said that Moreh occupies an important place for its potential in securing the country’s territory and boosting trade and commerce for the people of both India and Myanmar. It is also a place of unity in diversity, where different ethnic groups not only mingle but thrive. Credit goes to the Kuki, Meiteis, Muslims, Nepalese, Nagas, Tamils, and many others living in Moreh.
The governor lauded the efforts made by the police and the Assam Rifles in providing a sense of security to the people in the town. She assured to extend all help in order to address the issues and grievances faced by the people, stating that she will ask the Chief Minister to take steps and also apprise the Centre in the best interest of the people.
Minister TA & Hills, Letpao Haokip, also attended the interaction programme. He welcomed the governor on her arrival at ICP, Moreh. Speaking at the programme, Minister Letpao said that there have been a number of issues pertaining to livelihood in the town. He said due to the current situation in Myanmar, all business activities have been stopped and people are facing many problems. Only business is the means of livelihood for most of the people in the town.
CSOs submitted memoranda to the Governor, urging her to take steps to open the border with Myanmar so that normal business activities can continue as usual. Governor inspected Friendship Bridge at Moreh Gate No. 1. She also visited Shree Angala Parameshwari and Shree Muneeshwarar Temple in Moreh town.
DC, Tengnoupal Ranjan Yumnam, highlighted various developmental activities taken up under different state and central government schemes in the district. SP, Tengnojupal, B. Go Lian Mang; Commanding Officer, 5th Assam Rifles, Raja Israil; Colonel Atul Kumar, BRTF, SDOs, BDOs, other District level officers and officers working in ICP attended the programme. Earlier, on her way to Moreh, the Governor stopped at Pallel Police Station where she was accorded a warm welcome by Deputy Commissioner, Kakching, Somorjit Salam and Deputy Commissioner, Thoubal, A. Subhas Singh and other civil and police officials.
