Minister Govindas moots satellite township at Moreh

IMPHAL, April 4: The State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is also the Home Minsiter met with the Myanmarese delegation at his office chamber in the evening today.

The Myanmarese delegate led by Minister Sagaing Region Kyaw Win had also met with the state Chief Minister yesterday.

Acknowledging that the security forces injured a Myanmarese national at a village in Ukhrul along the Myanmar border, the Dy Chief Minister while replying to a query from the media persons on the issue said that the incident occurred due to a misunderstanding. He elaborated that the Indian security forces were only enforcing law while the Myanmarese individual was trying to enter the state.

He said such incidents will be minimized after the introduction of the visa on arrival in Manipur for the Myanmarese nationals.

Addressing the media persons at the end of the meeting, Dy CM Gaikhangam said the team is here on a goodwill mission and improve bilateral relations between India and Myanmar.

He said there are several common issues concerning two countries which were discussed during the meeting.

He said Myanmar has expressed its desire to turn Manipur into a tourism and health hub.

Since medical facilities in Myanmar is very poor, Myanmare citizens will start flocking towards Manipur once the Centre approves the visa on arrival for Myanmarese nationals in Manipur which will turn the state into a medical hub, the Dy CM said.

The Myanmarese delegates will visit Loktak Lake and the Hydro Electric power station at Loktak tomorrow. The team has also expressed its desire to see the industrial and agricultural sector in the state, the Dy Chief Minister said.

He said the visit will improve mutual understanding between the two countries and benefit both sides.

According to the commerce and industries Minister Govindas Konthoujam, the objective of the visit was to improve trading between Myanmar and Manipur. He said the Indian Government has plans to set up a Thermal Power Plant and satellite town at Moreh for which land acquisition for the satellite town is already underway, he added.

The Myanmarese delegation led by Kyaw Win, Minister Sagaing Region included Khin Muang Shwe, MP (Union); Thangliana, MP Sagaing Region; Khin Maung Zaw,TO Tamu; Myo Nyunt, District MEP Tamu; Hla Maung, president Union of Myanmar Border Trade Chamber of Commerce; Tin Shwe, member; Kyaw San Win, member; Aung Chin, member; Aye Ko, secretary UMBTCC; and Tin Aye, Member.