India, Myanmar security officials meet at Moreh

The meeting, which was initiated by the Indian side, was attended by the outgoing SDPO cum immigration officer, Moreh, Md Hushne Jaman, the new SPDO, Moreh, M Rameshwor, outgoing OC, Moreh, W Nongyai Singh and the newly posted OC, Moreh, Abdul Salam, and Lu Phe Win chairman, District Peace and Development Council, Tamu and police Lt.Col.Aung Htein, district superintendent of police, Tamu.

Though this kind of local level security meetings have not been held for some years, it was felt necessary to revive such meetings in view of the recent incidents of violence in Moreh and Tamu, for greater understanding and cooperation between local security authorities of the two countries, police sources in Moreh said.

The meeting in particular discussed the developing law and order situation on either side of the international border, and the manner in which the recent violence has disrupted border trade.

Both sides agreed upon the need for enhanced security cooperation between the two sides, as trade in Moreh and Tamu are interdependent, the sources informed.

During the talks, the Indian side asked their Myanmarese counterparts to provide information promptly to the local Indian authorities in the event of arrest or detention of Indian citizens in Myanmarese territory, a request which the Myanmarese delegates readily agreed to.

The issue of security fencing in the vicinity of the official border gates was also raised by the Indian side. The Myanmarese delegates promised to take steps to curb movement of people through unofficial routes across the international border and also asked the Indian authorities to take necessary steps on their side of the border to prevent the same.

The Myanmarese side also wanted the indian authorities to provide information on Indian daily wage-earners and labourers who enter Myanmar regularly.