TURA, March 3: The ACHIK on Sunday strongly denounced the illegal supply of supari (betel nut) from Bangladesh into Garo Hills saying the condemnable act has raised concerns among the local authorities and community members due to its detrimental effects on public health and the economy.
“The ACHIK expresses grave apprehension over the implications of this illegal activity. Besides being a violation of trade laws, the influx of smuggled supari has far-reaching consequences on various fronts. Firstly, the consumption of unregulated supari poses serious health risks, as it may be contaminated or adulterated with harmful substances. This could lead to a surge in health-related issues, including oral diseases and other ailments associated with betel nut consumption. Moreover, the illicit trade undermines the local economy by depriving legitimate businesses of revenue and market opportunities. It fosters unfair competition and distorts market dynamics, adversely affecting the livelihoods of law-abiding traders and farmers in the region,” it said, in a release.
The organisation while calling for concerted efforts from the district administration to address the root causes of this illegal trade, emphasize the need for enhanced border surveillance, stricter enforcement measures, and bilateral cooperation to curb the smuggling of supari and other contraband items effectively.
The organisation has also urged the local community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities promptly.
