Meghalaya CM takes up border unrest issue with Hasina

Meghalaya chief minister DD Lapang has sought Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina's intervention on the alleged  intrusions by BDR along the state's international border.Referring to the displacement of villagers at Muktapur on the border area after the firing incidents, Lapang requested Hasina to take a "considered decision" to mitigate the plight of the affected villagers, a government release said today.The chief minister met Hasina yesterday in Dhaka. Lapang also sought her intervention to promote trade with Meghalaya and stressed on improving connectivity through road, air and waterways with the state. "Lapang submitted a memorandum to her seeking intervention on the various aspects of promoting trade and commerce between Bangladesh and Meghalaya. He also emphasised on introducing bus services from strategic areas in Meghalaya to Bangladesh, besides direct flights to Dhaka from Shillong," the official statement said.The chief minister also mentioned that the introduction of riverine transport through Simsang River in Garo Hills would also cut down transportation costs, sources added. Earlier addressing India Trade Fair in Dhaka, Lapang underlined that the residents in border areas were calling for re-opening of the border 'haats' (markets) as it would improve the socio-economic conditions of the people in these areas, officials said.