Shillong (Meghalaya),May 1: Despite strict COVID19 lockdown restrictions in place hundreds of vehicles carrying on aeracanut trade have been entering Mendipathar and Dainadubi from Assam since April 27 raising fears of coronavirus contagion in the North Garo Hills district.
Drivers, handymen, traders, loaders and others are crowding the small border township and exposing the local people to possible infection of coronavirus. This area is adjacent to Assam’s COVID19 red zone districts.
Reports from the area said that this is sheer violation of state government orders which has mandated the state police to keep out vehicles from Assam which are not on essentials service duties.
It is learnt that the state government permitted the arecanut trade on the plea of the local MLA, S.G.Esmatur Mominin, in the last week of March who wrote to the Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma to alleviate the plight of the people involved in this trade by allowing them to trade.
Mendipathar is where all arecanut cultivators of the districts of Garo Hills bring their produce for sale and in normal times it is roaring business hub.
By special arrangement with Highland Post
