All types of export-import related activities at the Hili Land Port here came to a halt yesterday as four import organisations enforced a strike for an indefinite amount of time, based on a three-point demand, which includes stopping the harassment that occurs during the process of importing.
Sources at the country’s second largest land port said the C&F agent association and three other import organisations imposed the strike and yesterday was the first day.
Due to the strike, trade with India was stopped and about 150 goods-laden trucks got stuck on the Indian side while trying to enter Bangladesh territory.
However, the immigration department of the port was kept in the dark about the strike.
As part of the strike, members of the association and organisations brought out a procession in the morning and held a rally in front of the Panama Port before sending a memorandum to the Hakimpur UNO in this regard. They also observed a token strike for the last two days.
Authorities of the BGB-3 battalion had fixed pass cards titled “Manifesto Card” (the card states production place and date of products) for the Indian trucks since April 27, but the local importers identified it as a time consuming system.
The association has been demanding that the battalion and port authorities stop using the cards.
When contacted, the BGB-3 battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Abdur Razzak Tarakder said: “It is our regular security task to know about the goods that enter the country daily and it takes only 30 seconds to complete.”
He denied the claim of alleged harassment during the process of importing that was made by the importers.
Kuli Sramik Samannoi Committee, Truck Sramik Samannoi Parishad and Truck Owners Association took part in the strike.
