Nationwide Lockdown affects interstate trade in Silchar

Special Correspondent

SILCHAR: Lockdown now in its fourth stage has affected the interstate trade as well, apart from upsetting the normal life across the country. But, the plight of businessmen dependent mainly on business cooperation between their counterparts of the bordering areas of the neighbouring state has been indescribable. Such a scenario has emerged in the Lakhipur constituency of Cachar which shares border with the Jiribam subdivision of Manipur. The main link between the two subdivisions is divided by the river Jiri and the check posts of either side are juxtaposed to one another. Besides, ILP introduced recently by the UHM has already been a hurdle.

Traders, big and small, of Cachar finding no solution approached the Deputy Commissioner of Cachar, Keerthi Jalli, who understanding their plight, wrote to her counterpart of Jiribam to ease the restrictions of man and vehicle between the two subdivisions so that the badly hit traders can carry out their business. In fact, in Cachar, nay Barak Valley, it is a Catch 22 situation with ever escalating number of COVID-19 persons, the returnees from outside states. Businessmen have dried up their resources due to the prolong lockdown.

The Deputy Commissioner of Cachar in her letter referred to the notification issued by the Union Home Ministry dated May 17, 2020 on the issue. The notification asks for hastle free movement of traders of bordering areas in pursuit of trade and commercial activities. Keerthi Jalli hoped cooperation between the two district administrations will unlock the deadlock to the great relief of traders. The movement of man and vehicular traffic will, of course, be with valid documents only.