Collapsed of Bakgla RCC Bridge to adversely affect conduct of Lok Sabha Election in Garo Hills: Marak

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 18, 2024

Prominent Social Activist Nilberth Ch. Marak attributed the collapsed of Bakgla RCC Bridge in Joshipara, South Garo Hills District (SGHD) to the rampant and illegal export of sugar to Bangladesh allowed by the Deputy Commissioners and the Superintendents of Police of three districts viz., North Garo Hills District (NGHD), West Garo Hills District (WGHD) and SGHD.

This was stated by Marak in his complaint letter addressed to the Chief Election Commissioner, New Delhi while alleging that the DC and the SP of the said three districts violated Supreme Court order by permitting plying of overloading truck in public road and also violated the Model code of conduct due to the Lok Sabha Election.

The letter informed that Marak on 6th of this month complained against Bruno A. Sangma the Superintendent of Police Resubelpara North Garo Hills District Meghalaya and the Custom Officer of Gasuapara South Garo Hills District Meghalaya for indulging in illegal transportation of goods viz., sugar, Onion and other eatable foods to Bangladesh without any valid document and permission from the competent authority as mandated by various provision of laws. Thousands of trucks and other vehicles had been illegally transporting/exporting the Sugar, onions to the Bangladesh without valid license or without proper permission from the competent authority or from the concerned Department.

Acting on his complaint, the Election Commission, Marak removed Bruno A. Sangma as SP of North Garo Hills and posted Abraham T. Sangma in his place for the purpose of free and fair Election to the Lok Sabha 2024.

Despite the replacement of SP, there is no respite in the illegal export of sugar to the Bangladesh as the DC and the SP of the three said districts continued to turn a blind eye to the illegal export of Sugar and Onion to the Bangladesh. He also informed that it is learnt from the reliable source that the DC and the SP of the said three Districts are allowing the free movement of illegal transportation of sugar and allowing over loading of truck carrying Sugar, onion etc to freely moved to the neighboring country of Bangladesh without any checking.

Due to negligence on the part of the DC and the SP of the three said districts, Marak informed the Bakgla RCC Bridge at Joshipara under South Garo Hills District Baghmara, Meghalaya connecting Dimapara and Karongre completely collapsed on 16th April due to the plying of overloaded trucks transporting sugar illegally.  He also informed the road falls under NH 62 but is merely a highway on paper, though the tonnage on this bridge is restricted to 9 MT the trucks carried loads in excess of more than 20 MT. The bridge collapsed completely due to plying of overloaded trucks bearing number AS-01-MC-4307 and AS-01-FC-6875 and owned by Akrirul Islam Faraji.

The letter asserted that due the collapsed of Bakgla RCC Bridge has adversely affected the life of the citizen particularly those people residing at South Garo Hills District Baghmara Meghalaya and the said bridge is the main bridge through which are frequented by the people of West Garo Hills and South Garo Hills including the Govt. officers and Meghalaya Government employees. The collapsed of the said bridge will adversely affect the upcoming Lok Sabha Election to be held on Friday particularly for the Govt. staffs who were deploy to various polling station of South Garo Hills and West Garo Hills and also to the voters who are residing in South Garo Hills and West Garo Hills Meghalaya as there is no other alternative road or bridge connecting from South Garo Hills to West Garo Hills.

Marak called for strong and  appropriate action against the DC and the SP of the three said districts and Custom Officers of Gasuapara South Garo Hills District Meghalaya for violating the Model code of conduct and indulging in illegal export of Sugar to Bangladesh during Election even after the announcement of the Model code of conduct for upcoming General Election to the Lok Sabha.