Govt refutes use of Bangladesh currency by border residents

SHILLONG: The State Government is yet to receive any notice from National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on the failure of the district administration to address concerns of border villagers of East Jaintia Hills even as the Government denied reports of these residents using Bangladeshi currency for transactions.
UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh, while raising the issue in the Assembly on Tuesday by way of a call attention motion, said over 3,500 people living in Huroi, Hingari, Lailong (Hingaria), Lejri and Baskuna villages of East Jaintia Hills have been facing hardships due to the Government’s neglect.
Earlier, media reports had said the NHRC directive came after a law student Kynjaimon Amse petitioned the Commission about the plight of border residents in the district. The complainant had said people of these villages used Bangladeshi currency notes for daily transactions. Besides, there was no power supply, cellular and telephone connectivity in any of the villages, which also lacked a PHC or hospital.
As per reports, NHRC director had issued a notice to the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner seeking action.
In his reply, Border Area Development Minister Prestone Tynsong said the East Jaintia Hills district administration had refuted the claim related to the use of Bangladeshi currency.
Tynsong also narrated several development initiatives, including construction of road and other civic amenities, by the Government to uplift the residents.