Bangladesh High Commissioner to In
dia, Syed Muazzem Ali, who was in Shillong on Sunday in connection with a private function, spoke to Daiaphira Kharsati about connectivity prospects, international trade, contentious issues of cattle smuggling to Bangladesh, presence of militant camps in that country and influx among other issues.
Excerpts
ST: What is the status of the road connectivity between Meghalaya and Bangladesh?
Syed: As for the bus service from Shillong to Dhaka, at the moment we have connectivity through the Dawki bridge and there is a project proposal from the Meghalaya to widen the border road and we also have a proposal to do the same on our side because our next project is to make the Dawki-Jaflong border an integrated check post between Bangladesh and Meghalaya.
ST: What about international trade?
Syed: We are building a new railroad between Akhaura and Agartala which is 18 kms long and we hope we will be able to complete the project by next year.
In that case, the entire export of North East can reach Chittagong Port through Akhaura within two hours and that will dramatically change the export potential of entire North East and its opening to the outside world through the Chittagong port.
There is a huge possibility. We are also building up a deep sea port in Payra, if that happens then the international trade in entire North East will dramatically change.
ST: What is the plan for border haats?
Syed: We have a number of border haats and we have consistently expanded the border haats scheme. At the moment, we have a proposal to include six more border haats and we hope those will be operational before next December.
ST: Cattle smuggling is a major issue in Meghalaya. What can your country do to check the trend?
Syed: At the moment, our domestic production has gone up significantly and we do not need that much cattle anymore.
In a way, you have done us a great favour because it used to be about two billion dollar worth of trade and now it is slowly coming down.
It is only during festivals that some cattle are imported. Once we can completely eliminate this, the crime will go away and we will be self-sufficient in our own country.
ST: Your response to Bangladesh sheltering North East militant groups.
Syed: There are no militant camps in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed has shown zero tolerance to all terrorist activities.
Touchwood, during the last 10 years there has not been a single terrorist act committed against any neighbouring country from Bangladesh.
ST: The issue of influx is a cause for concern in Meghalaya. What are your efforts to contain this?
Syed: Some people come to Meghalaya for tourism and get involved in other activities. These are the regular issues that I face in relation to all other neighbouring states.
Bangladesh at the moment has the single largest number of tourists to India from any country.
A large number of them are coming for medical and other facilities. We have the border security management.
The two BSF and BGB chiefs meet regularly and discuss this issue and I hope they will make the mechanism even more airtight.
