Guwahati: The Achik State People’s Front (ASPF) has formally appealed to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, urging the state administration to protect traders from Garo Hills working in border regions.
In a letter submitted on Saturday, the group raised concerns over rising hostility toward the Garo population in South Salmara, Dhubri, and Goalpara.
ASPF general secretary Bernita Marak pointed to cases where market sellers in Mankachar reportedly had their merchandise damaged, with similar events reported in Krishnai, Goalpara.
The organisation also mentioned that traders frequently face harassment and seizure of their goods in areas like Hatsingimari, Lakhipur, and Rongsai.
The letter warned about misleading social media content, including a video showing individuals demanding an “entry fee” from Garo vendors while using abusive language.
To mitigate these risks, the ASPF recommended establishing a dedicated reporting channel, increasing security presence at border markets, and monitoring online platforms to curb the spread of inflammatory content.