Representative Image: The Assam Sand Suppliers and Truck Owners Association Dimapur (ASSTOAD) announced a total ban on the supply of sand in the district starting from September 30. (Morung File Photo)
Dimapur, September 30 (MExN): The Assam Sand Suppliers and Truck Owners Association Dimapur (ASSTOAD) on Wednesday announced that it is imposing a total ban on the supply of sand in the district starting from September 30.
It also informed that it would be restricting illegal transportation.
The ban has been imposed in order to bring down the cost of sand being imported and to remove the unjust imbalances in the cost of supply, according to the Association.
Since the lockdown, cost of sand supplied from Assam has seen more than 300% increase and the Association is not sure at this juncture why the cost has increased to such an extent, ASSTOAD President Anito Shohe said during a press conference at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur on September 30.
Further, it was alleged that due to illegal transportation of sand, a syndicate has been formed, making sand available at a lower price, forcing the legal suppliers to run their business in losses if they try to compete as the cost of procuring the sand from Assam is 70% more than the rate at which it is being supplied.
Shohe said that keeping the greater good of the public in mind, the Association has decided to engage in dialogues with their Assam counterparts, Mahaldars and other stakeholders so as to come to a price which would be accepted by all and would keep the concerns of the public at the forefront.
ASSTOAD finance secretary Deon Swu mentioned that a meeting in this regard would be held in the next few days and urged the public to support the ban despite the inconveniences it would cause as it would ultimately benefit the public.
Meanwhile, the ASSTOAD has extended its support to the indefinite economic blockade called by the five organizations and appealed to the responsible authorities to arrest the culprit at the earliest. ASSTOAD has also requested all those who have not yet registered themselves with the Association to do the same by October 15.
The ban which comes into effect immediately would be monitored by the volunteers of the Association at the different entry points.
