By Mir Afroz Zaman, Dhaka, Jan 29, 2022 : The Transport Association, including the Petrapole C&F Agent Staff Welfare Association, has called for an indefinite strike in the Indian port of Petrapole against Benapole port in Bangladesh from Monday (31 January).
Protesters say traders are being harassed as new LP managers create new laws for import-export at the port of Petrapole.
They are holding meetings and demonstrations to demand the withdrawal of the new LP manager, including an end to harassment in the import-export business. As a result of indefinite strike at Petrapole port, import and export through Benapole port will be stopped.
Kartik Chandra, general secretary of the Petrapole Port Staff Welfare Association, said the Covid-19 had reduced their business. Earlier, seven hundred and fifty truckloads of goods were exported to Bangladesh in 24 hours. At present only three hundred and fifty truckloads of goods are being exported during the Corona. After that the new LP manager is disrupting our trade by making new laws on entering the port area without telling the traders. The new LP manager is using BSF to prevent transport workers from entering the port. Employees involved in transportation are facing BSF barriers in entering ICP.
He said on Thursday they had staged a protest in front of the Petrapole Central parking lot against the LP manager. They have announced an indefinite suspension of imports and exports between the two countries from Monday (January 31), unless the harassment, including entry into ports, is stopped.
He further said that no transport worker is allowed to enter ICP and port without unique card. Those involved in import-export activities are facing various problems as they cannot enter the port. As a result of these problems, the export of goods to Bangladesh was stopped for 4 hours two days last week.
Transport workers, including traders, demanded that they be allowed to enter the ICP under the old rules until new cards were created. This movement will continue till their demands are not met.
Petrapole LP Manager Mr. Kamlesh Saini told this correspondent that, their demand is that the BSF should stop the checking of Driving Licenses & cargo trucks & issuance of new iCard/passes for entry-exit to be stopped immediately. & the Old system to continue at ICP. (Earlier BSF has detected 94 fake driving license at ICP petrapole & also has seized illegal gold more than 03 kg at port. ) if their demands are not made they will proceed for indefinite strike from 01.02.2022.
Deputy Director of Benapole Port Mamun Tarafdar said, “We have not received any letter of strike in the port of Petrapole or stop import-export.”
I have heard that traders and transport associations are protesting against the LP manager on the Indian side of the border. However, the administration is holding meetings with traders on the other side to prevent agitation. Even if the import-export trade is closed, the loading and unloading process at our port will remain normal, he added.
