From Our Correspondent
AMPATI: In a bid to bring back normalcy in the plain belt areas of South West Garo Hills bordering Assam the people of the region led by the Ampati Zone United Christian Peace Forum has resolved to strengthen economic ties by opening their traditional weekly markets to migrant traders from Assam.
This unanimous decision was made on Wednesday at the public meeting organized by the Ampati Zone United Christian Peace Forum in collaboration with the Ampati Citizens’ Forum at Ampati Mini stadium in South West Garo Hills.
Emphasizing on the need to bring back normalcy in terms of economic sustainability to the poor and the deprived in the region, Ampati Zone UCPF secretary Wepster G Sangma stated that the need of the hour was to open the markets to migrant traders from Assam.
Referring to a recent meeting with officials, NGOs and traders from Assam with the South West Garo Hills District Administration, Sangma maintained that businessmen from Assam were keen on coming back to Garo Hills to resume trade.
“During the meeting the NGOs from Assam asserted that if the prevailing situation continued they would be forced to start agitations similar to the recent economic blockade sponsored by AAMSU,” stated Sangma.
He suggested that migrant traders from Assam be invited to trade in certain designated traditional weekly markets of South West Garo Hills, namely Ampati, Kalaichar and Katli to defuse communal tension and ease the economic difficulty of the people of the region.
However, the entry of migrant labourers into South West Garo Hills has to be restricted for the time being, Sangma added.
Seconding the United Christian Peace Forum secretary’s suggestion, Ampati Citizen’s Forum president Rana D Sangma urged the gathering not to believe in unconfirmed rumors and aggravate the situation by spreading it.
Rana Sangma informed that ample security would be given by the district administration in the designated market places and urged the people and especially the Nokma to cooperate with the organizers in ushering peace and harmony in the region.