Export-import halted again in Benapole

Based on the directives of central government of India, export-import activities resumed at Benapole land port on April 30 after a closure of 38 days.

But the authorities of Petrapole land port have stopped the export-import activities on the third day after reopening the activities.   

So, the export-import closure from May 3 at Benapole is causing sufferings to the local businessmen of Bangladesh.

The activists of Trinamool Congress staged demonstrations from Bongaon to Chhoy Ghoria on Sunday in Kolkata to stop exporting goods to Bangladesh. As a result, import to Benapole land port was halted from Petrapole.

The Trinamool Congress activists claim that if India exports goods to Bangladesh, the truck that will reach Bangladesh may carry coronavirus when it returns to India.

So, India has closed the export and import. 

Aminul Haque, vice-president of Export-Import Association, said the traders in Bangladesh are concerned about the export-import closure.

Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of Benapole C&F Association, said that the export-import has not been halted by the government and customs.

"The activists of Trinamool have stopped export-import activities through movement on the excuse that coronavirus can spread through the workers and truck drivers," he added. 

Kartik Chakraborty, general secretary of C&F Staff Welfare Association in Petrapole, said that the port is operational as per the government order.

"Some of the mass people have staged demonstration in Bongaon fearing the spread of coronavirus. The export-import activities will resume once the situation is under control," he said.

"In the past three days, 15 truck goods have been imported from India. The goods were unloaded following the World Health Organisation guidelines in No Man's Land," said Mamun Kabir Tarafdar, deputy director (traffic), Benapole land port.

Due to the demonstration of the people in India, the activities are closed now, he added.