Moreh, April 06 2010: Contrary to frequent fissures among different communities as well as clashes between security forces and insurgents being the feature of this border town in the not the recent past, the same business hub on the eastern most tip of the State is gradually crawling back to normalcy, thanks to joint effort of security forces and NGOs.

Representatives of some prominent Moreh-based organisations giving 'normal' tag to the once trouble-some town, are of the view that increased vigil by personnel of 7 Manipur and Moreh police as well as posting of 31 assam Rifles troops coupled with contribution by the BSF are some important factors that prevented the trade township from total breakdown and absence of governance.

Unlike in the past where strain in relationships between one community and another used to spark unwanted consequences today issues of concern to the citizens pertain to lack of initiative by the Government to take up and execute developmental programmes, including viable networks of travel and telecommunication.

According to Hill Tribe Council vice president H Mate, Moreh denizens had been enduring uncertainties since a particular incident in February 2, 2007 .

However, as citizens realised futility of confrontation and public leaders took the initiative to reach out to the aggrieved party in resolving any outstanding wrangling through consultation, Moreh these days is relatively free from problem, the HTC leader observed while expressing gratitude to the AR troops and State forces for their round the clock vigil.

In his opinion, Meetei Council Moreh's general secretary N Inaocha Singh said increase in the number of both local and non-local tourists, and spurt in trade volume is an indication of the township gradually discarding its infamous image of trouble-prone, communally sensitive and highhandedness of security forces.

Recounting that on various issues, MCM and HTC along with other community-based organisations had been at the forefront to diffuse tension in every corner of the town, Inaocha said enhanced vigilance by security forces has marginalised presence and activities of anti-social elements.

Asserting that change in the attitude of security forces, who unlike in the past are willing to entertain grievances of the public and individual citizens, rather than use force to make their presence felt is a major contributory factor in establishing police-public cordiality, the MCM functionary called upon all concerned to exercise restrain before resorting to any hasty conclusion.

Expressing hope that the present situation would sustain and facilitate Moreh head to the path of development, Inaobi nevertheless said there is still need for increasing strength of State security forces besides development of roads and telecommunication infrastructure without which the trade town would remain stagnant.

He also stressed on the need for introducing identity cards to Moreh residents to ensure their smooth passage along the Imphal-Moreh route for the border town is home to many individuals who owing to economic reasons could not pursue education and hence possess identification documents nor are election identity cards issued to them.

Citing prolong detention at security check post for failure to produce identity cards as one of many inconveniences faced by both small time traders and youths of Moreh, Inaobi drew attention of authority concerned to chalk up a mechanism for ensuring disruption-free movement along the important trade route.

Declaring that 'Moreh town is normal and business being conducted without any disturbances', RK Surendro Singh, vice president of ACODOM said tourists had been streaming in to the border town where presence of UGs has become a rare sight for the past few months.

Contending that problems that need to be resolved mainly concern craving for the people to reap benefits of developmental programmes, Surendro also called upon the State authorities to increase strength of security forces in the town.

Comment