Zoramthanga blames Bangla for non-implementation of border trade

Aizawl, Mar 28 (UNI) Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga today blamed the Bangladesh government for non-implementation of the Indo-Bangla border trade through the state.

'' Apart from political instability, the remoteness and militants domination of the region (of Bangladesh) bordering Mizoram are the main reasons why the Bangla government had failed to implement the border trade,'' the Chief Minister said.

Zoramthanga's statement was in reply to former finance minister and opposition MLA Lalhmingthanga in the Assembly today.

Lalhmingthanga had asked why the Indo-Bangla border failed to take off in Mizoram sector, while the same was in full swing in other states bordering Bangladesh.

He said several meetings with the Bangladeshi officials had been held regarding the border trade, but it was of no use till today.

So far as the Indo-Myanmar border trade through Zokhawthar (Mizoram's border town in Champhai district) is concerned, Zoramthanga informed the House that informal trade was in full swing.

However, being an informal trade, the Mizoram government is not aware of what kind of trade items are passing through the Indo-Myanmar border,he said.

The Indo-Myanmar border trade is a fulfillment of the Mizo National Front-Indian Government peace accord of 1986, according to which the trade items should be locally (Mizoram) produced items.

The Chief Minister said the Centre was developing Zokhawthar as an international trade centre, and infrastructures were being built on both sides of the border to realise this.

Once the Kaladan multi-modal project, linking India with Myanmar through southern Mizoram, and Indo-Myanmar trade are completed, Mizoram will become the economic gateway for the rest of India, the North East in particular.

UNI ZS KK SY RS1612