Taking along some of his ministers, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma tour neighbouring country, Bangladesh. It is understood that the main features of his talks with the Bangladesh government is Indo-Bangla border trade apart from issues of human rights and peace.
This is not the first of its kind. Former Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma also
made such tour though its results is unknown.
Will this benefit the people of the State in general and those living at the
border in particular! Or it is going to be mere adventurous exploration!!
Surely, the people of Meghalay especially those living in the border areas are filled with expectations of a substantial outcome particularly in the area of border trade. Border trade has been going on though illegally. There could be seen commodities from and to Bangladesh like eatables for children, crockeries and etc. these items have made way upto markets in the capital of the state. Does the CM and ministers take note on this? Are they prepared to discuss strategies to regulate such border trade activities that will benefit both sides. It could have been better if the CM also had among his delegation village elders, businessmen and women from bordering villagers to involve as primary stakeholders.
Another step in the right direction is if the CM strengthen the border with police force as BSF is not so helpful in this regard.
We know that Minister Lahkmen Rymbui and Minsiter Banteidor were the two in the CM delegation. One of them spent many years in Bangladesh before while the other is also raised in the border area. True, both had informed experience of what it means to make friendship with Bangladesh and what kind of life villagers in border areas lived. But we also have no knowledge who else did the CM take with him apart from the two.
But the pressing need is that people living in Indo-Bangla border should have been taken into confidence if the real progress, peace and prosperity is envisioned.
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