Moreh protests killing of traders; Myanmarese ministers sent back

Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, FEBRUARY 21

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] Myanmarese delegation led by two ministers who were to visit Guwahati via Moreh in the Indo-Myanmar border was sent back in view of the tense situation in Moreh, Manipur chief minister O Ibobi said today.
On Friday, a protest rally was staged in Moreh town by people from various communalities condemning the killing of two Punjabi traders whose bodies were found in Molcham area in Chandel district of Manipur along the Indo-Myanmar border yesterday.
Chief minister Ibobi said speculations are there that the bodies of the two Punjabi traders might have been thrown into the Indian side of the border after the crime was committed on them in Myanmar, but he stated that it is unjustifiable as of now to conclude this theory as investigations are on to find out the truth.O Ibobi then announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh each for the two Indian traders found brutally murdered at Yangnomphai on the Manipur side of Indo-Myanmar border yesterday.
CM Ibobi today visited Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) mortuary here to condole the bereaved families of Satindar Singh, 30, hailed from Chandpur district of Uttar Pradesh and Daljeet Singh, 30, from West Mumbai in Maharashtra.
The Punjabi traders went missing since February 11 after they entered Tamu in Myanmar through the border gate Number-2 at Moreh town in Manipur’s Chandel district. Their bodies were found at Yangnompokpi, a pocket in Molcham in Chandel district on the border yesterday morning.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the visit, Ibobi said both India and Myanmar must condemn the unfortunate incident, terming it as ‘inhumane crime.’ He said the state Government did react against the unpleasant incident on time, but admitted that security forces from the state could not carry out rescue operation beyond the border and act on time to recover the duo.
However, the Chief Minister assured that all the culprits will be brought to justice soon and appropriate action will be taken against them as per the established laws. He added Irrigation & Flood Control minister Ngamthang Haokip, Industry minister Govindas Konthoujam, and MLA DK Korungthang are now in Moreh to appease the tense situation there in the aftermath of the incident.
On Friday, a protest rally was staged in Moreh town by people from various communalities condemning the killing of two Punjabi traders whose bodies were found in Molcham area in Chandel district of Manipur along the Indo-Myanmar border yesterday. The demonstrators later held a protest public meeting at Heinoumakhong.
Minister Govindas, who attended the meeting, said the Government is in touch with Myanmar Government over the incident, appealing all the communities in Moreh to maintain restraint. Leaders from all the communities also handed a memorandum to the minister urging him to take steps to ensure safety for people from India while visiting Tamu in Myanmar.
The commercial town Moreh is now in complete shutdown enforced by its residents in protest against the killing of two Punjabis. The shutdown entered its third day on Friday.