Locals demand equal benefit from border trade

Aizawl, Nov 22 (UNI) People of Zokhawthar, a small village near India-Myanmar border in Mizoram, today demanded maximum and equal benefits from border trade.

The Zokhawthar Welfare Association (ZWA), the union demanding the border trade benefits for locals, have called for a public discussion tomorrow in this regard.

The Mizoram and Myanmar government had agreed to trade on 22 agricultural items, however, several other items also moved across the border following a mutual agreement between officials on either side of the border despite Champai District Commissioner's issuance of a two-month prohibition, a ZWA members said.

Meanwhile, Champhai Transport Union (CTU), the body undertaking goods transportation between Zokhawthar and Champhai, had allegedly prevented traders from outside the union from participating in the goods transportation, which had irked the Zokhawthar residents.

The ZWA, in a statement, had demanded that a person should take part in the across-the-border trade on first come first serve basis and gain equal benefits.

The organisation was also protesting the Imports and Exports Syndicate for charging high rental for a newly constructed godown at Zokhawthar.

UNI