BENAPOLE: Export-import trade between Bangladesh and India through Benapole land port halted for six hours Thursday following transport strike against the arrest of a trucker by Indian police.

Jessore District Truck Sramik Samannoy Parishad enforced the strike from 9:00am demanding the release of a Bangladeshi truck driver detained by Indian police on June 19.
 
The truck drivers of Benapole-Petrapole route halted import and export operations from the morning for not releasing the driver within the given time.

The strike was called off at 3:30pm on assurance of release of the trucker within three days. The hope was held out from a meeting of all concerned at the Benapole customs house.    
 
Earlier, there had been a halt in the trans-border haulage for two and a half hours Tuesday for the same reason. The workers gave the administration an ultimatum for strike if their demand was not met till 10 am Wednesday.

Sources said Rubel Hashem entered Petrapole land port with electric accessories of Tata Company on June 14. The driver kept waiting at the Indian terminal, as the C&F agent couldn’t submit necessary documents.

A detective team of kolkata customs handed over the driver to police in the evening on June 19.

General Secretary of Benapole unit of Jessore district Truck and Tank Lorry Worker’s Union Shahin Ahmed said, “Our truck driver has been sent to thana illegally”.

“Though meetings were held several times with the administration in the presence of the leaders of Indian truck workers, the matter is yet to be resolved,” he added.

Check-post Customs Cargo Superintendent Thouhidul Alam said export-import activities remained paralyzed during the strike.

Sources said several hundred trucks loaded with goods, including some perishable items, got stranded on both sides of the border during the bandh.    

BDST 1540 hrs June 24, 2010  
Corr/RS/MUA