IMPHAL, June 17: The Border Trade and Chamber of Commerce Moreh, aggrieved by the fact that 42 Assam Rifles at Bongyang check post and 29 Assam Rifles at Tengnoupal is giving unwarranted harassment to goods carriers en route to Imphal from Moreh, has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister voicing their woes.
The memorandum reads that trucks bearing goods for the local market of Moreh are stopped at the check-posts of Assam Rifles and drivers are ordered to offload the goods, packed cases and cartons of goods are forcibly broken for checking, thereby damaging the goods. Sometimes the goods are even lost in the process of checking .Recently on June 3, 2011 a truck bearing registration No U.P. 52 S/ 2933. had been detained by the 29th Assam Rifles at Tengnoupal check post and handed over to Tengnoupal Police.
The Border Trade & Chamber of Commerce. Moreh approached the commanding officer of the Assam Rifles stationed at Moreh and apprised him of the problems faced by the traders, but the pleas were not attended by the authorities, the memorandum stated.
It further stated that the issue is affecting the trade of Moreh.
The ministry of Commerce and Industries of Manipur and New Delhi, the Director General of Foreign Trade is taking great pains to develop and increase the volume of trade in Moreh. Various meetings of all trading agencies of the State and other places have been held at regular intervals in Moreh and Imphal, the memorandum stated.
The memorandum further appraises the CM that Moreh strategically is very important for the development of trade and for the development of Manipur and the Prime Minister of India in his Look Last Policy has clearly stressed the need to develop this aspect.
In the year 1995, the then minister of Commerce and Industries P Chidambaram had signed an agreement with Myanmar and both countries had agreed to trade with each other by land route from Moreh, it further stated.
The Government is at present going to construct an Integrated Check-Post at Moreh, The local town roads are being improved. There are plans to give a new face lift to Moreh Town, all this is being done simply because the government of Manipur and the centre is confident that Moreh will very soon become the hub of business and will be one of the biggest revenue earners for the exchequer.
The memorandum further stated that this is possible only if safe and uninterrupted passage is given to goods entering Moreh Town. The business community of Moreh have registered shops, they are paying applicable taxes and are law abiding citizens of the state.
It states that the Moreh business community should not be considered as smugglers and treated as such. The business traders of Moreh must be given the same considerations is given to traders in other parts of the state and country.