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Customers and traders at Dolura Border Hat face massive problems


Bangladeshpost
Published : 18 Sep 2019 08:09 PM | Updated : 05 Sep 2020 03:06 AM

Sunamganj Correspondent

Customers and traders at Dolura Border Hat ( Market)  at Sunamganj frontier were suffering from scarcity of fresh water and of sanitation problem.

However, the number of customers at the hat were increasing gradually.

Traders from both countries ( Bangladesh and India) at a meeting with L. Krishna Murti, Assistant High Commissioner of India, discussed various problems relating to traders and customers in presence of Border Hat management committee and their Indian counterpart at hat premises on Tuesday noon.

Established on  April-24, 2012, the Dolura-Balat border hat at Sunamganj was drawing a large number of customers from both countries now a days. On every hat day (Tuesday), transaction of goods of both countries amounting at least Tk. 10 lakh ( one million) is held, informed traders at the hat.

Ayesha Lankar, a betel-nut trader of India informed, the trading at the border hat is held in an amicable, friendly environment with the help of BSF and BGB personnel. She, however, informed due occasional closure of the hat without prior notice, many traders at the hat incur a huge loss because most traders visit this hat from a long distance with perishable goods to sell. For example, she said, she came to the hat with goods on September-10 last and came to learn the hat will not be held that day. She requested the concerned Border Hat Committee members to inform them in advance through notice about the closure of the hat.

Ayesha said, the sanitation problem was acute at the hat. All latrines set up at the hat are unfit to use now. Moreover, there was no availability of fresh, drinking water for thousands of customers at the hat.

Ram Dev, a trader of Balat of India said, though the number of customers was increasing at the hat gradually, both traders and customers at the hat were facing an acute problem of sanitation and drinking water.

Moksed Ali, Chairman of Jahangir Nagar Union Parishad informed, Dolura Border hat was getting popular from people of both India and Bangladesh. The transaction as well as selling of goods would increase further if the hat management committee members allow more customers from both countries to enter into the hat to purchase and sell goods.

Moklesur Rahman, Additional Deputy Magistrate of Sunamganj and  responsible officer of hat management committee informed,  the border hat was closed on September-10 due to holiday of Ashrua. The notice of closure of the hat on September 10 was conveyed earlier to local BSF camp. However, the concerned authorities would be more cautious to inform any closure of the hat earlier to the traders at the hat. The hat committee would ensure supply of fresh water and improved sanitation system at the hat as soon as possible. 

During the visit, Indian Assistant High Commissioner was accompanied by Mokhlesur Rahman, Additional Deputy Magistrate, Karuna Sindhu Chowdhury Babul, Tahirpur Upazila Chairman, Yeasmin Naher Ruma, Upazila Chairman of Sunamganj, Joynul Abedin, Additional Superintendent of Police of Sunamganj, Shahidur Rahman, Officer in charge of Sunamganj sadar police station and Pankaj Kanti Dey, President of Sunamganj Press club.