BCIM car rally being flagged off from Kangla by CM, O. Ibobi
Mail News Service NNN
Imphal, Feb 27 : The BCIM (Bangladesh, China, India and Bangladesh) car rally was flagged off here today by O. Ibobi Singh, Chief Minister of Manipur from the historic Kangla fort enroute to Myanmar. The rally will enter Myanmar via Moreh and halt at Ka Lay at Myanmar before starting off for Mandalay. The rally which started on Feb 22 last had reached Imphal last night.
After covering 3000 km the participants will finally culminate at Kunming on 5 March 2013. The route is , Kolkata , Jessore , Dhaka , Sylhet , Silchar , Imphal , Ka Lay , Mandalay , Ruili , Tengchong , Erhai Lake , Dali and Kunming.
Inspite of the strong ‘public blockade’ imposed by the Kuki State Demand Committee (KSDC), the BCIM Car Rallyists entered Manipur and headed for Myanmar today.
Addressing the reception and flagged off ceremony held at Kangla Fort, Chief Minister Ibobi said the Ministry of External Affairs has now taken several initiatives toward the implementation of the Look-East Policy.
He said this car rally will bring the people living in this region closer and that the historical ties and links among the people will be revived now.
Recognising the need and importance of international dependence among the people in their efforts to realize the dreams of development, it is imperative to open the available channels of transport and communication among the people, Ibobi asserted.
“The restrictions in the movement of goods and services and people across the border need to be eased,” the Chief Minister said.
He said, “We are also keen to improve the connectivity with our neighbours—Bangladesh, Mynamar and China.”
The Asian Highway No-1 and 2 pass through Imphal and they span across the Asia connecting countries in the East Asia and West Asia, he said.
He also said as a first step toward easing of restrictions, the Ministry of External Affairs has decided to provide the facility of visa on arrival at Moreh for the Myanmarese citizens in order to visit India, especially Manipur to get health-care facilities in India.
The visa arrangement with Bangladesh and China may also be eased so that travel between India and its neighbours becomes easier, he added.
“We are looking at the opening up of road and rail passages to Bangladesh through Tripura so that our goods can be exported by using the ports of Bangladesh.”
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, Manipur Legislative Assembly Speaker, ministers, MLAs and top officials of both civil and police were also present at the function.The Chief Minister later released a souvenir and presented mementos to the participants of the car rally during the event.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/bcim-car-rally-flagged-off/
