Newmai News Network
Shillong | May 17
The MLA of Mawsynram, Himalaya Shangpliang has demanded that the state government of Meghalaya should conduct COVID-19 random tests in the border villages in the area.
“A positive case of COVID-19 has been reported from Dhormopur village under Boglabazar Police Station in Sunamganj district of Bangladesh. This village is only 500 metres away from Ryngku Bazar under Mawsynram Block of Meghalaya. This information was passed on by the BSF Company Commander of the Ryngku border outpost. In view of the proximity of the village where a positive case has been reported, it is mandatory that all protocols relating to safeguarding the people from the spread of the disease are enforced,” Shangplaing said.
Stating that he has informed Chief Minister Conrad Sangma about this case and requested the government t to immediately conduct random tests of the villagers living along the international border with Bangladesh, he said that these tests will enable the health department to take a survey of the villages and also prevent the villagers from contracting the disease.
“I demand that the government conducts an immediate test of villagers at Ryngku, Sonatola and Dangar,” he said adding that although the government has announced that the international border has been sealed, the border is still very porous and that there is continuous exchange of essential commodities across the border even during the lockdown.
He said that recently, the villagers from Cherakata and the surrounding area heard firing from the BSF border outpost at night. It was later reported that the firing was resorted to so as to chase away Bangladeshis who tried to sneak into India.
“Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that our villages are safe from the effects of the pandemic in Bangladesh,” Shangpliang said.
He further requested Home Minister, Lakmen Rymbui to immediately convene a meeting with the Director General of Police and Inspector General, BSF to take stock of the situation along the international border in view of the recent rise of the number of Covid-19 cases in Bangladesh.
