TURA: Organisations from South Garo Hills including the GSU, AYWO and ADE on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to reconsider the earlier decision taken in the Cabinet to reopen weekly markets of Garo Hills after the completion of 21 days of nationwide lockdown.
In their representation submitted to Sangma, the organisations pointed out that abruptly reopening weekly markets in Garo Hills is not advisable as the region shares a porous border with Assam, which has reported more than 20 COVID-19 cases as of today.
“The government must reconsider the decision as there is a surge in positive cases of the virus in the neighbouring state. Fortunately, no individual so far has been tested positive for the virus in Meghalaya. But early jubilation for not detecting any case may lead to larger repercussions if any rash decision is taken,” the organisations said.
They pointed out that the positive cases have been reported from South Salmara adjacent to Phulbari and Goalpara District (Assam) which is close to North Garo Hills district.
The organisations added that the majority of the small-time vegetable traders, dry fish suppliers and random businessmen mostly come from Assam to Garo Hills markets, which would make it almost impossible for authorities to check them as they would enter from multiple entry points.
“Majority of vegetables come from Mankachar and Singgimari in South Salmara district and Krishnai in Goalpara district. The supply of dry fish comes from Jagi Road, which is also a hotbed of COVID-19 in Assam. Therefore, opening of weekly markets without placing any mechanism to check the traders will ruin all our efforts of staying indoors,” the organisations warned.
The organisations, while warning that they would not allow outside traders to operate their business without clearance from concerned authorities, welcomed the opening of weekly markets with the involvement of only local traders and also urged the authorities to promote them even if the production would be less.
On the decision to resume various construction works, the organisations said that contractors should be made responsible for checking their own labourers from outside while they (organisations) would conduct random visits to construction sites to make sure that they are free from the virus.
Vegetable supply
irks GHADC MDCs
Meanwhile, the BJP MDCs of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) have opposed the supply of vegetables to Garo Hills from Barpeta district of Assam via Mankachar.
“We were amazed when we came to know of vegetables being supplied by certain groups of people who were supplying the Assam vegetables as Shillong supply. Despite the lockdown being observed by all to prevent the spread of COVID-19, vegetables were being supplied from Assam without any precautionary measure,” the MDCs in a statement said.
Informing that the Deputy Commissioner denied of having knowledge of any vegetable supplies, the MDCs also opposed the opening of the weekly market in the villages.
“Weekly markets and public gatherings should be minimised as far as possible. The government should not compromise the safety of the people on any ground. Before lifting the lockdown, safety equipments should be supplied to the hospitals and medical staffs. We fear if, by any chance, virus is carried to Garo Hills, it will be catastrophic because vegetables supplied to the public are touched by young and old without safety measures,” the BJP MDCs dreaded.
The statement also said that the BJP MDCs have initiated distribution of ration after 5 lakh was sanctioned by GHADC.