The people of Baliamari village under Rajibpur Police Station have long been excited about the prospect of the border haat there. Thus far, many of their relatives have suffered, even got killed, injured or jailed trying to trade across the border. So the news of the haat thrilled them immensely.
But not anymore, as these people know the benefits of the border haat will go to the selected ones the rich and partisans.
More than 20 out of 25 people selected and given identity cards for a stall in the haat are established businessmen, having shops in Rajibpur market, a place about five kilometres from the Baliamari-Kalaierchar border haat.
That's not all. The 25 beneficiaries are well-known activists of the ruling party.
Noor E Shahi (Ful), chairman of Rajibpur union, admitted that anomalies took place during the selection. He said all the 25 people selected to trade in the haat are partisans and established businessmen.
"I am also the president of Rajibpur market committee. It (the selection) has surprised me as none consulted me before finalising the list of beneficiaries."
Mojibur Rahman Bangavashi, chairman of Jadurchar union that shares a portion of the haat, said the very concept of the border haat has been tarnished by allocating trade rights to established businessmen from Rajibpur only.
The villagers of Baliamari, mostly farmers and day labourers, also have the same story to tell. Baliamari is the nearest village from the haat.
Korimon Begum, a widow and mother of three, said although her house overlooks the haat she never got the chance to work for it.
"I wanted to work as a day labourer when they built the road. But they hired all the labourers from Rajibpur," said Korimon, adding that, "I also tried to obtain an identity card for a stall in the haat but no one was interested."
Like Korimon, Mohammad Nazrul Islam of Beparipara said most of the people in his village survive on fishing. "We wanted to sell fish in the haat but could not prove our allegiance to the ruling party. We are too poor to do politics," said Nazrul.
During the inauguration ceremony of the haat yesterday, the two correspondents personally spoke to 20 card holders who admitted that they had shops in Rajibpur market. Interestingly, many of these traders brought readymade garments, melamine items and brand items to trade in the haat.
Thana Nirbahi Officer Abdul Kader, the person responsible for enlisting the beneficiaries, said that the selection was made based on merit.
"The memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the governments prescribes listing of genuine businessmen for trading. We have done accordingly," he said.
However, the MoU did not define the vendors of the haat as "genuine businessmen". It rather says, "Vendors who are allowed to sell their products in the Border Haats shall be the residents of the area within five (5) km radius from the location of Border Haat."
Soruce : The Daily Star
