SHILLONG: The Jaintia Students’ Union (JSU), War Jaintia Circle (WJC) has questioned the government on allowing the resumption of Indo- Bangla Trade.
In a statement issued here, War Jaintia Circle president, Eddy Kery Pohtam opposed the trade between India and Bangladesh asserting that Bangladesh is reporting high incidence of COVID-19 cases.
He said that if trade happened as usual, in no time there would be high risk of virus transmission in Meghalaya as well.
The JSU – WJC has sought clarification from the state government whether there will be enough safety measures to protect drivers and workforce at the border.
He said that the drivers are fearful of delivering of loads and supplies to the land port if no proper protective measures are adopted from both sides of the border.
“Who will be responsible if there are positive cases arising from this trade interaction? Are there any proper health facilities in the area to cater for patients to fight against the virus? Who will bear for expenditures of these patients?” he remarked.
He said that although the trade at the Dawki Land Custom is mostly of export of limestone from mines from Nongtalang and Pynursla, he questioned the government on the non-utilisation of funds from the District Mineral Fund to improve health care facilities in the mining areas as per direction from the Central Government.
He added that the JSU- WJC will not accept the state approval for trade of exporting goods to Bangladesh if no proper protocols and their enforcement is not carried.
“We are uncertain of goods coming in from Bangladesh. We also do not want close body contacts between people from India and Bangladesh,” Pohtam said.