People demand re-opening of border haats

Shillong, Oct 17 (UNI) People residing along the Indo-Bangla border in Meghalaya today urged the state government to re-open the traditional border 'haats'(markets) to boost the economy.

The War Jaintia Conference(WJC) submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister J D Rymbai informing him of the grievances faced by people in border areas due to the closure of these 'haats.' WJC Chairman G W Pohti said closure of these 'haats' had affected the economy as people were unable to sell their agricultural products.

In the past, Mr Pohti said, people residing in the border areas had benefited a lot through the traditional trade ties with the people of Sylhet and Mynmensingh districts of Bangladesh.

In order to improve the condition of the border people, Mr Pohti said, the WJC had suggested the government to take urgent steps to have a support price for aeracanuts and betel leaves, reviving of orchard plantations and instruct agricultural scientists to investigate and suggest remedial measures on the severe attack of pests and other diseases in orchard plantations in War Jaintia.

On the proposed fencing of the international border, Mr Pohti said the WJC demanded the suspension of fencing till a re-survey of the border was completed.

''We have proposed to the government to re-survey the international border involving all the land owners, traditional heads and the elected representatives before fencing the porous border,'' he said.

He added that the re-survey would enable the people to regain their lost cultivable lands. Reminding the government on the announcement made by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on the border township, he said the WJC demanded implementation of the same by undertaking all possible steps.

''We have informed the government about the availability of plots for setting up of this project between Amlarem and Tamabil areas,'' he said.

On the influx of foreigners and outsiders, Mr Pohti said, the WJC would suggest the Autonomous District Council to issue a complete ban on the issue of Trading License to non-tribals for setting of shops and other small businesses in the area.

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