KSU seek CM’s intervention on need to conduct tests along the Indo-Bangla border

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 20, 2020

The Khasi Students Union (KSU) has demanded the state government to conduct tests along the entire stretch of the Meghalaya-Bangladesh border to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to the union, the coronavirus outbreak in Bangladesh is more or less alarming with around 23,870 active cases and 349 deaths registered so far.

In a letter to the Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday, KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah said it has come to the notice of the union that the MLA of Mawsynram Himalaya Shangpliang had raised concern over the spread of the COVID-19 in Bangladeshi districts which are adjacent to the border areas of his constituency. The MLA has urged for tests to be conducted on our side of the border in his constituency.

In support to the MLA’s concern, Thabah said there is partial movement of people from both sides of the border leading to intermingling of people from both sides.

“Therefore, the KSU humbly appeals to you, to conduct tests along the entire border stretch and to closely monitor the movements of people to and fro the state from across the border. Such an endeavour would likely help to contain the corona outbreak along the border villages which would ultimately prevent its spread to other parts of the state,” he stated in the letter.

Meanwhile, the KSU also expressed its support to the Conrad K Sangma-led government for its commitment in handling and tackling the overall problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter said the KSU had taken upon its shoulders as an NGO to assist the government machineries in many forms.

The KSU had been providing relief items throughout the entire length and breadth of the districts of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and a few Khasi hamlets located in Barak Valley region of Assam.

Similarly, activists are also assisting the traditional institutions in terms of maintaining social distancing during the lockdown period. Members from the Units of Delhi, Dehradun, Bangalore and Mangalore are also assisting stranded citizens of the state in other parts of the country, it informed.