Shillong: Concerns have been raised by the Garo Students’ Union and A’chik Organisation for Social Welfare (AOSW) over the surge in illegal transportation of betel nut and sugar in Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills District.
In a joint effort, the two NGOs submitted a formal complaint letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Williamnagar, urging immediate actions to address the issue.
According to the NGOs, they have observed a concerning trend of illegal transportation of betel nut and sugar between Bangladesh and Assam, with routes passing through various areas without proper documentation.
Specifically, they highlighted routes such as Dawki-Shillong, Nongstoiñ-Dainadubi Road, and Baghmara Nongal Songsak-Mendipathar Road as hotspots for such activities.
The NGOs emphasized that this illegal trade in betel nut, also known as supari, has been ongoing since August of the previous year, causing a significant drop in prices and adversely affecting local farmers in the Garo hills region.
Moreover, the NGOs alleged the involvement of vested interest groups in facilitating these smuggling operations, exacerbating the situation for local farmers who struggle to find buyers due to the influx of cheaper illegally imported supari from Bangladesh.
In addition to the betel nut trade, the NGOs also raised concerns about the illegal transportation of sugar from Assam to Bangladesh through routes such as Dainadubi Rongjeng Nongal Baghmara (NH62) Road and Mendipathar Songsak Darugre Nongal Baghmara Road. They claimed that numerous trucks loaded with sugar ply through these routes daily, with the collusion of certain individuals and groups, right under the nose of authorities.
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The Union’s letter to the Deputy Commissioner highlighted the detrimental impact of sugar smuggling on local prices, leaving residents adversely affected. They also pointed out the alarming trend of illegal money collection along NH62, emphasising the need for immediate intervention to curb such activities.
The NGOs urged the authorities to take swift and decisive action to address the rampant illegalities, protect local interests, and ensure the rule of law along the affected routes in East Garo Hills District.
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