Indo-Myanmar trade briefly halted over confusion caused by anti-drug drive

Indo-Myanmar trade came to a brief halt over confusion arising from an anti-drug drive conducted by Anti-Drugs Abuse Campaign Committee (ADACC), Moreh on September 17.

Members of ADACC, Moreh were pelted with stones at No Man’s Land while conducting an anti-drug drive as part of its on-going movement against illicit drug trafficking and abuse. In an attempt to apprehend the drug users who were caught in the act of using drugs, members had chased them when citizens of Myanmar residing near the No Man’s Land started pelting stones resulting in injuries to members of the committee.

The situation deteriorated when Myanmarese army personnel arrested a member of ADACC and further complications ensued when both sides resorted to heavy pelting of stones at one another. Members of the anti-drug committee, in retaliation against the arrest of one of its member, also apprehended two Myanmarese nationals from Moreh town and kept them in their custody.

Upon receiving reports, a team of Moreh police personnel comprising DSP of Moreh, Thomas Thokchom along with the OCs of Moreh Police and CDO, Moreh rushed to the spot to control the situation. Personnel of 11 Assam Rifles, Moreh also responded to the situation.

Later, talks between the state police and the Myanmarese army were held at the Myanmar Immigration Office located Moreh Gate number 2 in the presence of the immigration officer. The issue subsided with the eventual exchange of the apprehended individuals by both sides at Nanphalon Immigration Gate.

On the other hand, several Indian nationals were seen fleeing Nanphalon market in confusion while some shops were witnessed closing down at the time. Due to the incident, there was temporarily stoppage in movement at both Nanphalon Market and Moreh Gate no 2, although normalcy was restored after a brief period. Meanwhile, a meeting was convened at 2:00 pm on September 18 at the office of HTC, Moreh in regard to the incident that took place at No Man’s land yesterday. The meeting was held between ADACC, Labour Union, Tamu and Chambers of Commerce, Tamu, during which a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed. The MoU agreed on the organisations involved to commit themselves together and make sure that no such incidents occur in the future.

Source Imphal Free Press