TURA: The District Youth Congress (DYC) from North Garo Hills has strongly objected to the decision of the government to allow transportation of coal by trucks stranded along NH-62, raising apprehension that the move would increase the chances of people getting infected by COVID-19.
In its letter to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, the Youth Congress reminded that NH-62 connects to places in Assam like Dudhnoi, Krishnai, Goalpara, Jogigopa, Kavetri, Dubhri and Bongaigaon, which are designated orange and red zones with surge in COVID-19 cases and that allowing the stranded trucks to ply would lead to movement of hundreds of drivers, handymen, labourers and mechanics, placing the lives of the citizens in peril.
“There is no guarantee that proper guidelines and protocols, as mandated by the Health department, will be implemented as we can see the lags and fallouts on ground zero. We have porous, unmanned borders in our district and the nod to resume coal transportation will attract unchecked labourers which will endanger the lives of the people,” it said.
Recalling media reports where members of its own party from Jaintia Hills had accused the government of ‘inviting’ the coronavirus into the state by allowing coal transportation, the Youth Congress said that it stood with the members, while alleging apathy by the government towards the people’s plight.
The Youth Congress, while urging the government to focus on the ongoing pandemic and not on coal transportation, suggested that it should instead take steps to boost the morale of the frontline workers by offering them, in return, a small amount of dearness allowance, gratuity or bonus for their selfless service.