Harassment of Bengalis: Chief Minister of Meghalaya Conrad Sangma urged to intervene

SILCHAR: Amra Bengali, a socio-political organisation of the state, has sent a memorandum to Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, on Wednesday, after staging protest in front of the statue of Khudiram Bose at office para here against the continuing harassment and economic blockade of Bengalis in East Khasi Hills. The Chief Minister has been urged upon to intervene in the matter and exercise his good offices so that the NGOs allow the poor Bengalis engaged in lifting and transportation of lime stones from the mines to Bangladesh and other states of the country. These Bengalis are under a sort of economic siege since February last on a frivolous issue, alleged Sadhan Purkayastha, secretary of Amra Bengali.

Around 450 to 500 trucks engaged in carrying and transportation of lime stones from the mines in the Ischamati and Bholaganj areas of East Khasi Hills are stranded and people involved in this work have been faced with extreme financial difficulties with their family members. According to Purkayastha, the NGOs are also not allowing the Bengalis to open their shops and do their normal business. If such a situation continues, they might starve in the absence of any other avenues of income.

Taking a sympathetic view of their plight, Ramkrishna Mission has come forward to help them with relief materials. This has given them some relief, no doubt. But, how long, asks Purkayastha. The poor people are worried on another count. They have taken trippers against loans from banks to be paid back on monthly instalments. The interests on loans are piling up and a situation might arise when the banks will confiscate their vehicles. CM Conrad Sangma is fervently appealed by Amra Bengali to see that the unpleasant situation centring round the helpless people is resolved amicably and peacefully and the sense of acrimony is buried forever.

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