Source: The Sangai Express / I Ibobi
Moreh, January 23:
Even as a 6 point Memorandum of Understanding was signed between some public leaders of Moreh and the authority with MLA Bijoy Koijam and Brigadier RA Lewis of the 26 Sector Assam Rifles as witnesses today to end the protest being staged at No Man's Land along the Indo-Myanmar border, the women folk who have been agitating at the No Man's Land and AMSU president Prakash and MAFYF president S Kangleipal have rejected the MoU.
The MoU was signed after a marathon meeting held between some public leaders of Moreh and the State authority represented by MLA Bijoy Koijam at Moreh PS.
The six points in the MoU included an inquiry into the sodomy charge levelled against Major Atul Yadav and his men and assurance to transfer the Major from Moreh, security force at Moreh to observe the guidelines enunciated by the Supreme Court, security personnel to identify themselves and desist from conducting CI ops in civvies, SF not to drive unregistered vehicles, to issue arrest memo at the time of any arrest, and to submit a copy of the MoU to the State Home Department to extract an assurance.
Despite the rejection of the MoU by the women folk, in a late night development, the agitators left the No Man's Land.
The meeting which started at about 12.45 pm stretched on till late into the evening and was attended by the DIG Range II Christopher Doungel, Moreh ADC Th Chothe, Brigadier of 26 Sector Assam Rifles RA Lewis and CO of 24 AR KS Kadian.
The public leaders of Moreh included the president of MCM L Imobi, MCM organisation secy M Thoiba, AMSU Chandel dist committee president Sunil Agarwal etc .
From the side of the Assam Rifles, Brig RA Lewis, Col KS Kadian appended their signatures on the MoU while from the side of the State Govt, DIG Range II C Doungel, ADC Moreh, SDPO of Moreh police, SDC of Moreh, OC Moreh PS signed the MoU.
After the MoU was signed the MLA accompanied by the president of the MCM proceeded to No Man's Land and read out its content to the agitating women there.
However the agitators made it clear that they cannot accept the MoU as it said nothing about removing 24 AR from Moreh.
AMSU president Prakash and MAFYF president Kangleipal who are also camping at the No Man's Land then announced they cannot accept the MoU.
Public leaders who signed the MoU expressed apprehension that the prolonged agitation may adversely affect the Indo-Myanmar trade.
Outrightly rejecting the MoU Prakash said that if the 24 AR is not removed from Moreh, then it would amount to accepting the gross human rights violation.
Kangleipal also chipped in and said that what the people are demanding is the shifting of 24 AR from Moreh.
Trying to convince the agitators, MLA Bijoy Koijam said that there is no clause which says that 24 AR cannot be shifted from Moreh and said that a decision may be taken after a meeting with the Chief Minister at Imphal.
The matter has to be also reported to the Union Home Ministry, explained the MLA.




