DCs ask to assess situation on reopening of border trade: CM

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJuly 9, 2020

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday said the deputy commissioners have been asked to assess the situation for re-opening of border trade with neighbouring Bangladesh.

Sangma told reporters that the decision of the state government to reopen the border trade since export of any nature has been allowed by the Government of India.

“However, we have gone ahead with the condition that it will depend upon the deputy commissioners while taking into consideration the traditional heads and local people,” he said.

The chief minister further informed that in most locations, local people have decided not to engage in border trade despite permission issued by the state government. “Therefore, the DCs have been asked to assess the situation and go ahead with what is appropriate to them,” he added.

It may be mentioned here that NGOs and traditional heads in the War Jaintia region have expressed strong opposition against the reopening of border trade at Dawki land custom station in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. They have demanded the government to revoke its decision in order to prevent spread of the disease in the region.