Myanmar sentences four State smuggl

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Myanmar sentences four State smugglers to jail

Free Press (Imphal)
July 25, 2000

IMPHAL, Jul 24: State authorities are still in the dark about
whereabouts of four persons from Manipur, who had been allegedly
convicted to 70 yrs imprisonment by Myanmar authorities of smuggling
changes.

The four identified as Th Mani (35) S/o Tombi and Kh Mani (42) S/o both
from Thangmeiband, S Gandhi (29) S/o Kula of Hiyangthang and one Baite,
Rankho Baite (32)  S/o Siw Rap of Moreh were arrested by the Myanmar
security forces on April 24, 1995 near Tamu. 12 gallons of illegal
acid-like substance were seized from them.

A Myanmarese court after finding them guilty under the provisions of the
Myanmar Narcotics Act had sentenced them to 70 years of imprisonment.
However, the term was reduced to 10 years after they filed a petition
challenging the conviction.

When contacted, the Special Secretary (Home) said that they have not
been informed of the case. However, the Indian Embassy in Myanmar had
sent an official letter to the State Chief Secretary regarding the
handing over of the Indian prisoners at Moreh, he added.

The latter dated July 21 this year said that Myanmar authorities had
informed them that the six Indian prisoners had been handed over to
Indian authorities at Moreh on July 1 this year.

The letter mentioned the names of Lalrinawna, Rosanga, Giwani,
Zamthankhupa, Sinepal Sen and Arom Kalat. It requested the Chief
Secretary to confirm urgently whether the six had arrived to India and
had been handed over to family members.

The Myanmarese authorities letter also said that they have informed the
Indian Embassy office that 2 other Indian prisoners namely Lanlou Kimar
and ala Lawtar, who had been lodged in Sittwe prison had also been
released and were being escorted to Tamu. They are expected to reach
Moreh in the next couple of days, it added.



Moreh tourist centre opening on August 3

Free Press (Imphal)
July 25, 2000

IMPHAL, Jul 24: Work is in full swing to open the Indo-Myanmar
Friendship Tourist Centre at Moreh on August 3 nest with the primary aim
to expand the free trade between the two countries.

In the first step three tourist buses will ply between Moreh and Kalemyo
via Tamu, M Indrasen, managing director of the Manipur Labour Welfare
Company who will manage the centre said.

Construction of the 170 km Tamu-Kalemyo road which has been named as the
Indo-Myanmar Friendship road has almost been completed. BRTF personnel
are taking up the construction, he said adding that the India side had
agreed to connect the route from Moreh. Under the provisions of the
Indo-Myanmar Free Trade Agreement, citizens of the two countries can
stay for seven days on either side.