An organization of Petrapole port workers in India has halted trade through Benapole port of Bangladesh for the second consecutive day on Monday.
The organization named "Jeebon Jibika Bachao Committee" is expecting realization of their five-point demands, including putting an end to harassment by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in trade, reports UNB.
However, the communication of passengers with passports remains unaffected while the conveyance of imported and exported goods has been immobile.
The strike enforced by the organization from Sunday morning stopped the import and export of all kinds of goods on this route.
Meanwhile, trucks carrying hundreds of goods are stuck waiting to enter the two ports due to the closure of trade.
The traders feared suffering huge losses. The stuck products include jute and jute-made products, fish, industrial raw materials, ready-made garments, machinery, and various food items.
They said more than 500 different trucks pass through the port for exporting goods from India every day. Likewise, Bangladesh exports goods via more than 150 trucks using this route.
The Indian Clearing and Forwarding staff members used to come and go to Benapole port to carry out commercial activities. But recently the BSF restricted their movement showing security reasons.
Besides, BSF procrastinates while performing a search in trucks without specific allegations.
Authorities concerned have been informed to be sincere in resolving these issues. Being constrained, the organization enforced a strike to realize their demands halting import and export activities in the Petrapole-Benapole port, they said.
Deputy Director (Traffic) of Benapole port Mamun Kabir Tarafdar said imports and exports were halted due to internal problems of the Indian traders, for which everyone incurred losses.
However, unloading of goods was underway at the Benapole port, he said.
"We are communicating with the Indian authorities to resume the trade activities by resolving the ongoing issues."
