Lack of SOP (standard operating procedure) affects state supari growers in Assam

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The operation against Burmese supari has left the supari growers of the state in troubled waters, especially of the Barak Valley. To sort out this problem, the State Government announced in January this year to prepare an SOP (standard operating procedure) to distinguish Burmese supari from the local ones. However, the SOP is still to be a reality.

Even the supari transportation ban has impacted a few districts of neighbouring Mizoram. Mizoram Home Minister Lalchamliana was on record saying on Thursday in Guwahati that the ban imposed on supari transportation to the rest of India via Assam affected the supari growers of Mizoram.

The supari growers in the Barak Valley have taken to the streets for the past few days as they cannot sell or transport their supari as the police seize all supari-laden trucks rampantly. The issue stormed the State Assembly in January this year, leading Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to inform the House that "the police cannot distinguish the Burmese supari from the local ones. To sort out this problem, we will prepare an SOP".

Based on the Chief Minister's assurance on the floor of the House, ministers Jogen Mohan and Bimal Borah visited the Barak Valley and met all stakeholders on what the SOP should have. However, the proposed SOP is still a non-starter.

On the contrary, the police continue to seize trucks laden with Burmese supari from various areas in the state. The police also confiscate local supari-laden trucks mistakenly.

If the government does not take concrete steps to sort out this problem, the supari growers of the state will have to bear the brunt for no faults of theirs.

Also Read: Mizoram: Environmental Activists Accuse NHIDCL of Destroying Environment

Also Watch: