The other day Convenor of the Act East Policy, Govt. of Manipur, RK Sivachandra expressed serious concerned over the harassment to Myanmar’s tourists by detaining them in the name of checking their documents at 3 / 4 check post by Assam Rifles personnel while travelling from Moreh to Imphal. During a discussion hour at local cable TV the convenor appointed by the state government for the successful implementation of the Act East Policy Mr. RK Sivachandra said that frequent checking to the foreign tourist particularly those travelling on land route.
Frequent detention of Myanmar citizens travelling inside Manipur along Imphal Moreh road in the name of verification of pass port has become an issue to the Narendra Modi govt. ambitious Act East Policy.
During a meeting of Indian delegates and Myanmar delegates held at Tamu DC office of Myanmar on October 21 this year, President of the Myanmar India Trade Chamber of Commerce (Tamu- Kalay- Kalewa), U Hla Maung while putting up the issue questioned the Indian delegates on how the good relations between the two countries could be established if legal Mayanmar citizen who travel via road are harassed and detained even after showing their passport by the Assam Riffles personnel. The Myanmar Trade body’s president also stated that when Indian entered Myanmar they were checked at only one point and are let free without any disturbances. But when Myanamar citizen entered India, they are checked at ICT and then at Moreh Gate No.1 by the Assam Rifles. This is not the end, the Myanmar citizen who were already checked at two check post were again checked at Khudenthabi and then at Tengnoupal. While checking,around 2/3 hours are being wasted in the name verification and checking, U Hla Maung said.
Such is the scene happening along the dream route which is a gateway to the Southeast Asia Now the inconveniences being faced by the Myanamr tourist while coming all the way from Moreh Imphal has reached to the ear of the Chief Minister and it is fortunate that the Chief Minister take the matter seriously.
While delivering speech as the chief guest of the National Press day Function organised by the DIPR, he expressed serious concern about the Assam Riffles Check post along the route. He even convened a meeting AR authority and other security forces and discussed about the matter and appealed them to reduce the checkpost as well as to show courtesy to foreign delegates entering the country through the route.
Well any civilian who travelled along the Imphal Moreh route knows how the Assam Rifles personnel are checking the travelers. Those who were already completed checking were force to walk by foot for crossing the check post. Myanmar tourist having some similar looks with the Manipuris faced the same difficulties.
The concern of the Chief Minister to this issue, at the time when the government is on hectic preparation for hosting the state largest tourism festival – ‘The Sangai festival’ is well and good. But why one wander why he have to request the Assam Rifles to stop harassing the people as well as the foreign tourist instead of ordering to immediately stop such checking as the checking has already been done at Integrated Check Post. It is often stated that the Assam Rifles or other paramilitary forces are assigned here in the state to assist the state government and if it is so why the state government cannot give direct order to stop harassing the traveler – whether it may be the people of the state or the foreign tourists. The act of the Assam Riflles along this route (Imphal – Moreh) is also another hindrance that could sabotage the dreamt of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It is time that the state government order instead of requesting for making the people of the state and those visiting the state from outside the state happy and comfortable.
