Indian traders suspend exports through Benapole port

Indian traders have suspended exporting goods through Benapole Land Port from Saturday morning alleging that Bangladeshi handlers have been charging 'extra money' for unloading goods from their trucks.

It was decided at a joint meeting of trader representatives from both the countries last week that no 'extra money' will be charged, said Kartik Chandra Dey, secretary of Indian Petrapole Customs Clearing and Forwarding Staff Welfare Association, reports UNB.

"But, the Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) staffs at Benapole land port are still charging extra money. So, we have suspended sending goods to Bangladesh from the morning (Saturday)," he added.

Denying their allegation, Nasir Uddin, secretary of Benapole Customs Clearing and Forwarding Staff Welfare Association, said they are collecting money for unloading goods from Indian trucks as fixed by both the parties.

Assistant Commissioner Uttam Chakma of Benapole Customs House said hundreds of trucks carrying different goods including industrial raw materials, machineries, fish and other perishable goods got stranded on both sides of the port since morning.

"Each day we will lose around Tk 230 million as revenue due to this halt," he added.

The passengers of both the countries are continuing crossing the border as usual, said Tarikul Islam, officer-in-charge of Benapole Immigration Police.