Imphal, November 10 2009: Moreh, a border town of Manipur neighbouring with Myanmar must be developed, demanded the Indo-Myanmar Border Traders' Union (IMBTU) in a memorandum submitted to a high level delegation of the Union government visiting the state.

The memorandum also demanded introduction of international bus service from Imphal to Mandalay and deployment of national highway protection force along the Indo-Myanmar section of the NH-39 to relief travelers on this route from frequent looting, extortion, kidnapping inhuman torture and harassment.

The high level team of the Centre led by Director of Commerce and Industries, Dr V L Kantha Rao has inspected border trade activities in Moreh yesterday.

Director of Development of North East Region (DoNER), SC Sharma also included among the entourage.

Engineers accompanying the officials also inspected the improvement works of National Highways in the state.

The Indo-Myanmar Border Traders' Union (IMBTU), Manipur led by Yumnamcha Dilip meet with the visiting team members and submitted a memorandum urging for the promotion of Indo-Myanmar border trade in Moreh sector.

Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on January 21, 1994 in between India and Myanmar and aftermath inauguration of formal trade under the Indo-Myanmar Border Trade Agreement on April 12, 1995, Centre has been taking up many programmes for the development of these sectors, but many others are lying to be taken up.

"While considering about the Look East Policy of India, we cannot proceed without concerning the state of Manipur.

By considering the Geo-Economic potential of the North-Eastern Region at large and the Geo-Political factors of Manipur in particular, it is well aware that, Manipur is the gate way of East and South East Asia and vice-versa and also locationally serving as a door way for these economies of India".

The cross border market access will strengthen the integration of this region, the North East States, mainly Manipur state can become the bridge between the Indian economy and what is beyond doubt the fastest growing and dynamic region in the world," the memorandum stated.

In the memorandum, it was also mentioned that as the land route is the only transport link in between Moreh town and Mandalay, most of the tourists, traders and other officials will be benefitted if the international bus service is introduced in between the two countries.

It also demanded deployment of efficient National Highway Protection Force along the NH-39 and NH-53 so that all kinds of government vehicles ad business transaction including free movement of traders, businessmen and general public can be freely travel without any fear and disturbances from miscreants who are disturbing peace.

The Central team arrived at Imphal Airport yesterday at Imphal airport where they proceeded directly to Moreh with a chopper and backed Imphal at about 4.30 pm.

During their visit at Moreh, they inspected the development of integrated check post at Moreh where they held interaction with state officials and related persons there.

Later in evening, representatives of the Indo-Myanmar Border Traders' Union (IMBTU), Manipur called on with the Central team in which they submitted a memorandum, said president of the body Yumnamcha Dilipkumar.

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