Despite Indian threats, 1,648 trucks of goods and about 12,000 passport passengers moved in 3 days

Despite the tense situation between India and Bangladesh, import-export operations at several ports in the country are still suspended, but import-export and passport passenger traffic between the two countries is normal at the country's largest Benapole land port. The threat of Indian political leaders to stop import-export operations has not worked.

According to port and immigration sources, 1,648 trucks of goods were imported and exported through the Benapole-Petrapole land port in the last three days (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday). At the same time, 11,780 domestic and foreign passport passengers crossed. Of these, 5,363 were Indian passport passengers. Of these, 597 trucks were imported and exported on Tuesday (December 3), 444 trucks on Monday and 607 trucks on Sunday. 2,412 people crossed into India through the Benapole checkpost on Tuesday, 3,924 on Monday and 5,444 domestic and foreign passport passengers crossed on Sunday. Most of these passengers are Indian passport holders. In the last three days, 2,514 Indian citizens have entered Bangladesh and 2,849 Indian citizens have returned from Bangladesh. Till 5 pm on Wednesday, 380 trucks of goods have been imported and exported between the two countries. Another 1,520 passengers have crossed.

Asked about the situation on the other side, Abul Kashem, a passport passenger from Dhaka who returned to India, said that many Bangladeshis are in India due to panic and are returning home after hearing the news of the closure of the checkpost. We were staying at a residential hotel on Marquis Street. We did not have any trouble. However, security at the border has been increased to avoid any untoward incident.

Ganesh Roy, an Indian truck driver who brought imported goods to Benapole port, said that we are coming to Benapole port in trucks like every day. The border is a little tighter than before. However, no one has created any obstacles for us in exporting goods. Bangladeshi people have treated us well at Benapole port.

Truck driver Zahid Hasan, who returned after unloading Bangladeshi export goods at Petrapole port, said that he has returned after unloading goods at Petrapole port as usual. There are no obstacles there. Security has been tightened a little. The people on the other side have not misbehaved with us.

Revenue officer Abdul Gani of the Checkpost Cargo Branch of Benapole Customs Building said that import and export between Benapole and Petrapole ports has been normal since Wednesday morning. Till 5 pm on Wednesday, 380 trucks of goods have been imported and exported between the two countries. In the last 3 days, 1,648 trucks carrying goods have entered the ports of the two countries through the Benapole-Petrapole ports. Port users of the two countries are working smoothly.

Benapole International Checkpost Immigration Officer-in-Charge (OC) Imtiaz Ahmed said that passenger traffic between the two countries is normal. The pressure of passengers going to India is a little less. The pressure of passengers going to India is decreasing due to the visa closure. In the last three days, 11,780 domestic and foreign passport passengers have crossed. Of these, 5,363 Indian passport passengers have crossed. Passengers said that there was no problem on either side.