On charges of extortion of imported goods from India, the import and export activities through Benapole Land Port remain halted since Saturday afternoon following a strike enforced by Indian traders at Petrapole.
On Saturday from 12 noon, businessmen of Petrapole port of India stopped the entry and exit of goods and called for strikes.
The joint secretary of the Benapole Import-Export Association said that since the import-export trade was closed, more than 1,000 trucks in Benapole and Petrapole are waiting to enter the port.
According to a source, some truck-owners and labour leaders of Petrapole port formed a syndicate and operated in an organized manner; they collected Rs1000 to Rs1500 from Bangladeshi businessmen for the storage and passage of goods.
As a result, it took 15 to 20 days for a goods-laden truck to reach Benapole port.
Regarding this issue a meeting was held last week between the business delegates from both the countries in Petrapole port of India regarding various commercial problems, according to sources from Petrapole Port.
The decision was taken between the businessmen from both the sides regarding the transaction at different levels, including the acquisition of imported products.
But the C&F employees of Benapole port of Bangladesh ignored the decision of the meeting and were charging extra money from Indian truck drivers.
Due to this, Indian businessmen and truck laborers protested and stopped import-export trade at the Petrapole port.
Benapole C&F Staff Association General Secretary Nasir Uddin said that the money charged from Indian representatives is in accordance with the rules of acquiring the imported goods. The allegation of receiving more money is baseless. In an organized way, the Indian traders are causing these problems to inhibit import-export.
Benapole Customs Cargo branch Assistant Revenue Officer Oliullah said that trade was going on normally in the morning on Saturday. Suddenly at 12 noon, the import-export stopped. We learned that no cargo trucks from India are entering Benapole port from Petrapole port.
Of the import-export goods, machinery, garment materials, fish, betel leaf and various types of raw-products are stuck at both the ports. If the issue is not resolved the traders from both sides would face serious economic losses.
Benapole Land Port (Traffic) Additional Duties Director Aminul Islam said, talks with the two parties are going on for trade.
