Burmese Traders Seek Peace in Troubled Manipur

By Khelen Thockchom

Myanmarese women walk past the police station in Tamu on Tuesday.

Tamu (Myanmar), Sep 22 : Myanmar’s traders and officials at Tamu town are seeking an improvement in Manipur’s law and order situation so that border trade with India could be enhanced.

“So far the border trade between India and our country is going on smoothly. But we are hoping that the security problem on your side of the border will improve further so we can enhance trading activities,” Hla Maung, the chairman of the Union of Myanmarese Border Trade Chamber of Commerce, said.

Goods are transported through Tamu of Myanmar and Chandel district of Manipur. Moreh and Myanmar’s Namphalong market, just across the border, are the main trade hubs. Frequent bandhs at Moreh and blockades along the Imphal-Moreh stretch of National Highway 39 regularly affect border trade at both trade centres.

“Yes, the law and order situation on the Indian side is a matter of concern. This affects our business because if no vehicles come to Moreh for a transport strike, Namphalong market also shuts down,” T. Win, a trader at Namphalong, said.

Moreh, a small township with a population of 30,000, faces problems because of the mixed population. Tamu, however, faces no such problem. A post each of Assam Rifles and Manipur Rifles operate in Moreh to assist the police in maintaining law and order.

Maung expressed the hope that the situation would improve. “India and Myanmar have good trade co-operation and we are hoping for enhanced business,” he said.

Myanmarese officials felt that a peaceful atmosphere on Manipur side of the border could promote tourism .

“We can also look towards tourism between India and other Asean countries. Tourism can ensure mutual benefit among the countries,” the Myanmar ambassador to India, U. Kyi Thein, said.

The Ibobi Singh government did not allow any citizens’ group or trade unions to meet the delegation or submit any memorandum to them, citing security reasons. The move left many fuming.

“We were not allowed to meet the delegation. If they are coming to improve border trade, why is the government not allowing us to meet the delegation? We wanted to brief them on the situation,” said R.K. Sanahal, a community leader of Moreh.

Officials in Moreh also felt that a business and tourism-friendly atmosphere should be created. “Tamu is better prepared than Moreh. We need better roads. Moreh needs immediate attention if we don’t want to make Moreh a speedbreaker on the Asian highway,” said Lunminthang Haokip, the additional deputy commissioner of Moreh.