After Myanmar authority did not hand over the bodies till 2.30 on Wednesday despite its assurance to send them by 8 am, infuriated people who assembled at Sun Rise Ground stormed into Moreh police station demanding to bring back the bodies immediately.
TFM Report
Amidst allegations of Myanmar military Junta-backed militia group’s hand in gunning down two Indians at Tamu Town in Sagaing Region on the Indo-Myanmar Border, the People’s Defence Force (PDF) on Thursday claimed that both were brutally shot dead by the Myanmar Military Junta outfit Pyu Saw Htee to make life difficult for the Burmese people, who are fleeing to India’s Moreh Town.
“The military Junta and Pyu Saw Htee’s actions are aimed at disrupting the good relationship between the people of Tamu and Moreh, which share a border with neighbouring countries,” it added.
Two Tamil youths identified as L. Mohon (28 years) S/o. (L). Perumal and M Iyanar (35) s/o. (L). Murga, both from Moreh Town in Manipur’s Tengnopal District, were gunned down near School no.4 at Saw Bwar Inn Ward in Tamu Town Sagaing Region on the Indo-Myanmar Border around 1 pm on Tuesday. The victims, both civilians, were reportedly visiting friends in Tamu Town.
Condemning the extrajudicial killing of not only Burmese citizens but also people of neighbouring countries, PDF said the inhuman action by the Military Junta and Pyu Saw Htee was an insult to the bilateral relations between the people of Tamu and Moreh Town and an insult to the Indian Government.
Meanwhile, border town Moreh remained tense as Myanmar authorities failed to hand over the bodies on the third day also. Most of the shops in the border town remained shut However, no untoward incident was reported. Following the violent protest by angry people in Moreh on Wednesday, additional forces were rushed to the border town to control the situation.
Heavy deployment of Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, IRB and 5 Assam Rifles were seen since Wednesday night at Moreh Bazar, Premnagar Muslim Basti, Moreh Ward No. 2/3/4 along Indo-Myanmar Border.
According to an official source, the Manipur Police DIG Range II and the SP Tengnoupal were stationed in Moreh with additional security forces.
After Myanmar authority did not hand over the bodies till 2.30 on Wednesday despite its assurance to send them by 8 am, infuriated people who assembled at Sun Rise Ground stormed into Moreh police station demanding to bring back the bodies immediately.
They broke open the Indian border gate and rushed toward Namphalong market in Myanmar. They attacked the Myanmar Army Sentry Post with stones and set ablaze a bunker, prompting the Tengnoupal District Magistrate to impose restrictions in the whole Moreh town in Moreh Sub Division under Section 144 of CrPC.
Clash broke between people of the Namphalone area and protesters after a heated exchange. They pelted each other with stones leaving many, including three from the Indian side injured.
People also took out a peace rally in Moreh town demanding the Myanmar authority to hand over the bodies immediately. They held placards that read “We Want Peace”, “Stop Killing innocent people”, “Stop killing Indian citizen”.
Strongly condemning “the atrocity and terrorism perpetrated by the Myanmar military Government on innocent civilians”, all community leaders in Moreh submitted a memorandum to chief minister N Biren Singh urging him to initiate immediate necessary formalities with his counterpart in Myanmar to hand over the dead bodies
They also demanded ex-gratia to the bereaved families of both the victims “who are the sole bread earners of their respective families by driving autos”.
Restrictions under Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed on the whole Moreh Town under Moreh Sub Division in Tengnoupal District since Wednesday night.
As per an order issued by Tengnoupal District Magistrate Mannuamching IAS on Wednesday, there is apprehension of violence and breach of law and order in Moreh Town, Moreh Sub Division, Tengnoupal District. Such activities are likely to cause obstruction, annoyance or injury to any person(s) and danger to human life, health or safety, leading to disturbance of the public tranquillity.
The order said assembly of five or more persons which is likely to tum unlawful in the said area, or the carrying of sticks, stones, firearms, and/or weapons of any other description or objects which can be used as offensive weapons should be prohibited as an immediate preventive measure.
The order under sub-section 2 of section 144 of Cr.P.C., 1973 prohibited the assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful and carrying of sticks, stones, firearms without a valid license, weapons or objects of any description which can be used as offensive weapons with immediate effect and until further orders.
Meanwhile, Minister for TA & Hill Letpao Haokip issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the killing of two Tamil youths in Tamu town of Myanmar.
“It is with ultimate great sorrow as MLA Tengnoupal AC to sincerely pass my Deepest Condolences to the grieving families of P Mohan and M Iyarnar who were brutally killed by unknown persons at Saw Bawr ward, Tamu, Myanmar on day 5th July 2022,” said Letpao Haokip in his condolence message.
“The Manipur state government is doing its best to bring home the lifeless bodies of the two Tamil youths. Now, we await the time when the Myanmar and India governments sort out ways so that we receive their bodies,” said the statement.