SHILLONG: : The demand to stop import of coal from Assam is gaining momentum with groups joining in to condemn the move of the government. Fear of the spread of COVID-19 in the state looms large as the truckers coming in from Assam are allegedly not following proper protocols.
The East Jaintia National Council (EJNC) has lent its support to the Synjuk Ki Waheh Shnong, who led the protest against the government’s move to grant permission to import coal from Assam.
In a statement, the NGO said coal is imported from Assam’s red zone to the cement factories in East Jaintia Hills which can put the people of the district at the risk of COVID-19.
‘Police are imposing fine to people driving without car pass even when it is for medical reason whereas coal laden trucks from Assam are escorted by the police to their destination. This shows that the government has a double standard in dealing with the people of the state’ said Sambormi Lyngdoh, EJNC president. .
The NGO also compared the importance of coal trucks with trucks carrying essential goods saying the latter is exceptional since they are carrying essential goods for survival.
‘If the government cares for its people, transportation of coal from Assam should be stopped. The MHA should be told that the people are against the import of coal because of COVID-19 risk. People are not happy with the way the government is dealing with the issue,’ the statement said.
The body also condemned the seven legislators from Jaintia Hills who have remained silent and are indifferent to the issues faced by the people.
The All Guwahati A’chik students’ Association (AGASA) has also opposed the government’s decision to allow inter-state coal transportation without following proper protocols and guidelines.
In a statement, the AGASA said truck drivers and handymen are not following proper protocols and guidelines posing a threat to the public.
The government has installed a disinfecting machine at Dainadubi (North Garo Hills) entry/exit point, but it has been scientifically proven that spraying the external part of the body will not kill the virus that has already entered the body. This activity just adds extra workload for frontline workers who are at high risk of infection, said the statement.
The association has requested the government to keep in abeyance the transportation of coal ‘until situation is under control’.
The Achik Indigenous Justice Initiative Forum (AIJIF) and Dainadubi Circle Youth Organisation (DCYO) have also raised the issue of drivers and handymen entering the state to transport coal but without following protocols.
With these drivers coming from red and orange zones of Assam, Bihar, Punjab and Rajasthan, the highway in North Garo Hills has turned into a ‘weekly bazaar’ of truckers paying no heed to COVID-19 guidelines, a statement sent by the organisations said. ‘We can see the drivers and handymen violating the norms and ignoring COVID-19 protocols despite frequent appeals,’ said the statement.
The residents along the areas are anxious and in a state of fear over the possible spread of the virus as most of the drivers and handymen are violating norms by not wearing face masks and not adhering to social distancing and personal hygiene protocols, the statement added.
‘While returnees to the state are mandatorily observing 14 days of home quarantine, it is evident that drivers and handymen entering Dainadubi area for coal transportation are freely travelling within the state, the unions alleged. ‘It is questionable and intriguing that the same protocols are not being made mandatory for the truckers by the government,’ said the statement.
The groups also questioned the government’s inability to take action against the truckers gathering alongside the highways. The groups have asked the government to prohibit drivers and handymen violating COVID-19 safety protocols to enter North Garo Hills district.
They also asked the government to take strict action against those not following the protocol.
