Border trade flourishes in interior Ukhrul

The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, Aug 16: Preserving the age-old practice of border trade between Myanmarese and villagers settled in remote locations of Ukhrul district many traders from across the international border still continue to trickle in through the Somra Track to reach Ukhrul villages.

Under normal conditions, a traveller/trader can reach villages like Chingai, Poi etc of Ukhrul district in one/two days taking the ancient route on foot.

Items traded between the adjacent villagers mainly consist of poultry products/chickens, pigs/piglets, buffaloes, dried fish etc exported from beyond the border while Ukhrul villagers trade salt, edible oil, clothes and other essential commodities. 

The trading either on barter system or through monetary exchanges takes place after the Myanmarese traders trek through the mountainous terrain crossing border pillars No 128, 127 and 126.Compared to the trade volume significantly reduced during rainy seasons with only about ten persons on an average arriving at specific trading spots, favourable weather condition brings in more than 50 Myanmarese traders to the district and beyond particularly till Kohima via the Jessami route. 

Some Myanmar traders due to frequency of their interaction with the people on the Indian side and familiarity with the local people are informed to have settled in border areas of Manipur and Nagaland apart from arranging education of their wards with local patronage. 

When a group of media persons came across a Myanmar national named Jackoo during a recent sojourn in the interior areas of Ukhrul district, he summed up the century old trade link saying (through an interpreter) that the route discovered by the forefathers is still the only means of daily sustenance for most Myanmar villagers located nearby. 

Neglected by the Myanmar Govt, people of not only his village but other nearby ones as well are dependent on this ancient trade route for survival, expressed Jackoo, who spoke fluent Tangkhul dialect.

He also recalled of Myanmarese villagers foraying into Poi to avail medical facilities during a medical camp organised in April this year while on other days their nearest treatment centre is at Chingai. 

Adding to the excruciatingly painful living conditions is absolute absence of motorable road and bridges, highlighted the Myanmar trader while conveying that many of his villagers were awestruck at the sight of television in Chingai. 

When questioned whether the trade route also serves as haven for drug peddlers and precious stones smugglers, Jackooj pleaded innocence. 

The situation is not very encouraging for the people of Chingai as was evident when an elderly K Shangmahing said his chronic suffering is yet to be examined or treated as bad roads that have been associated with the sub-division would only mean compounding his difficulties. 

He conveyed strong resentment against the State Government's alleged callousness in ensuring basic development facilities including in the health care and surface communication sector and visualised pitiable conditions Somra villagers of Myanmar might be enduring. 

Another Chingai villager informed that many Tangkhuls who had actually forayed into Myanmar villages have sought permanent settlement there. 

The villager recounted that Myanmarese also have to provide food to the military personnel whenever they (army) frequent their villages and added that Myanmar traders and villagers are allowed free access into the Ukhrul villages in addition to assisting them.