‘Transport of goods to B’desh needs to be stopped’

SHILLONG: The Jaintia Students Union (JSU) has written to the Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills urging the district administration and the state government to stop entry and exit of vehicles belonging to York Prints Pvt. Ltd that transport goods to Bangladesh through Tamabil.
It may be mentioned that in an order on April 27, the political department has asked the DCs of East Khasi Hills, Ri Bhoi and West Jaintia Hills to facilitate export of goods to Bangladesh on alternative days by Guwahati-based York Print Pvt. Ltd.
The department had also referred to the letter of York Print Pvt. Ltd on April 25 in this regard.
The order said the state government has allowed transportation of goods from Deoduar, Kamrup, Assam to Tamabil, Bangladesh after compliance to standard operating procedures for screening of passengers.In a memorandum issued to the DC of West Jaintia Hills, the union maintained that they do not oppose bilateral trade but asserted that the state government should not hasten to trade and re-start business with neighbouring states and country, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic creating an unsafe atmosphere.
The union observed that it is unwise for the government to approve the international export of goods at this juncture and the union claimed that it could be not be accepted by the people of the state even if the lorry or truck drivers has to follow health protocols. The union is upset as it asserted that the government has broke one of the norms and strategy to break the chain of the spread of COVID 19 by allowing international trade even at a time when the union members along with the Village Defence Party voluntarily enrolled as health volunteers in coordinating with the district task force to keep an eye to fight the spread of COVID 19 in the community level.