By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 17: The ongoing unrest in Bangladesh has disrupted long-standing traditional trade ties between communities along the Mawsynram border in Meghalaya and their counterparts across the international border, plunging the local economy into a severe downturn.
The Ryngku and Lalpani border haats in Mawsynram, once vibrant trading hubs for the local populace, have remained closed due to heightened security measures amid the current situation in Bangladesh.
Confirming this, United Democratic Party (UDP) leader and Mawsynram MLA, Ollan Singh Suin, said, “Trade between Meghalaya and Bangladesh has been severely impacted by the unrest. The border haats are closed, and we believe they should reopen soon.”
He further explained, “Economic activity in the border haats has declined sharply. From what I know, the closures are linked to the ongoing religious conflict in Bangladesh.”
When asked about the potential reopening of the haats, Suin expressed uncertainty. “I don’t know when the border haats will reopen. The tension along the border needs to ease first, and only then can trade activities resume,” he said.
The local MLA revealed that the trading points have been closed for the past two months, severely affecting the livelihoods of people living in border areas. “The local population depends heavily on trading their produce at these haats. These haats are their primary source of income,” he noted.
He also pointed out that since the unrest began, the borders have become less secure. “I hope the tension subsides soon, and we look forward to seeing the situation normalise,” Suin said.
To improve the livelihoods of people in border areas, the governments of India and Bangladesh had previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment and operation of border haats in Meghalaya. However, the current unrest has brought these activities to a halt.