Moreh, February 18, 2010: Led by Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency MP Thangso Baite, present and former Congress party legislators today attended an all-community meeting at Moreh Trade Centre where appeals were made for sustaining support to the Congress so as to ensure speedy development of the border town.

Addressing the gathering, that included representatives of Moreh-based organisations, MP Thangso Baite said as the Congress party is in power both at the Centre and State many development plans could be chalked up and implemented for the betterment of the multi-ethnic border town.

Canvassing support for Congress nominees in the forthcoming District Council election, the MP also posed to the people to declare their preference for either the district council election or municipal polls.

Conceding that access to Moreh through land route is an unpleasant experience, Thangso also took particular note of the Lokchao bridge, describing it is deplorable.

apart from assuring the gathering that State's Works Minister would be consulted for necessary action to make the bridge travel-friendly, he also pointed out on the need for improving telecommunication network of the sub-divisional headquarters for which the General manager concerned would be urged to do the needful at the earliest.

speaking earlier, former Minister Ngamthang Haokip said the Congress party is highly indebted to the people of Moreh for electing Thangso baite at the recent hustings and urged for similar support at the time of district council elections.

Expressing that number of security check points in between Pallel to Moreh is excessive, Ngamthang observed limiting the check points at only the two sites would help in smooth flow of vehicular movement which in turn would consequently help in increasing trade volume.

Speaking at the occasion, Meitei Council Moreh president L Imobi singh lamented absence of basic amenities on Moreh side of the border inspite of the fact that Moreh is being projected as corridor of the east.

Highlighting that revenue generated in Moreh for every half a month period tips the Rs 130 crore mark despite absence of trade infrastructure, Imobi suggested that taking into account Moreh's importance in the contest of Manipur's economy there is urgent need for construction of multi-storey markets as revenue collection at Moreh is way above that of Imphal.

He prevailed upon the political leaders on the need for implementing policy of the then chief Minister Rishang Keishing at whose initiation both the district council elections and town elections were held.

Apart from highlighting plight of the people of Moreh from drinking water shortage to erratic power supply, the MCM president said with temperature on the rise every year and VIPs frequenting the border town efforts need to be made for ensuring regular power supply.

Chandel AC MLA Thangkhulun Haokip, who was also one of the Congress leaders to attend the session stressed on the need for maintaining peace in Moreh.

He also assured personal endeavour for a development package of the border in consultation with the Chief Minister, at the earliest.

For Minister DK Korungthang, in his address pledged unflinching commitment in the development of Moreh and called upon NGOs to remain vigilant so as to ensure development funds are not wasted or diverted to undesired elements.

Representatives of the Hill Tribal Council, Tamil Sangam, Manipuri Muslim Council, Kuki Students' Organisation (Moreh) and Kha Nongpok apunba Nupi Lup also participated at the discussion session.

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