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The government has issued countrywide lockdown due to the surge in coronavirus infection. As a result, hundreds of Indian truck drivers who came to Benapole port with imported goods are facing trouble in buying food.
Last night, they demonstrated in front of the customs house demanding the reopening of the hotels and restaurants inside the port. They are not able to go out of the port due to corona pandemic. If they fail to buy foods they threatened to suspend import-export activities.
Indian truck driver Rakesh Das said, "We brought a truck loaded with goods from the other side to Benapole port. It takes two to five days to unload the goods at the port. We are not eating because all the shops and hotels are closed for corona. We can't live like this".
Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of the Benapole Port C&F Agent Staff Association, said shops, hotels and restaurants have been closed due to corona surge in Bangladesh. As a result, the truck drivers are in trouble. He also complained that these Indian drivers do not follow the hygiene rules.
Benapole Port Deputy Director (Traffic) Abdul Jalil said lockdown is going on in and around the port due to the increase in corona ceases. That is why hotels and restaurants are closed. The administration has allowed them to return to India if the trucks' goods are not unloaded in compliance with their hygiene rules.