Indian exports hit hard at Mahadipur

Statesman News Service

MAHADIPUR (BOP in Malda), Jan. 30. — Indian export to Bangladesh from Mahadipur land customs station has been badly hampered owing to the ongoing agitation in Bangladesh on the issue of rural electrification since 23 January, officials informed today. Indian customs officials said that a continuous clash between civilians and Bangladeshi officials is on. Allegedly, nearly a dozen people have lost their lives in clashes over the distribution of electric power in the rural regions and the system of revenue collection at Kansart in Shibganj district of Bangladesh. According to information derived from the exporters and customs officials, the local people have blocked the 50 km-long international road, the Biswa Path. Trees growing on either side of the Biswa Path has been cut down and strewn on the road in order to block it. “Local people have also blew up a small bridge at Dhapra village in Bangaldesh snapping communication by road,” said an Indian exporter. “We have now been forced to take our trucks loaded with perishable goods through Hilli in South Dinajpur and via other land customs stations in South Bengal instead of the usual route,” said Mr Samir Ghosh, an exporter. The superintendent of Mahadipur land customs station, Mr P Kundu, said: “Export has been hampered since 23 January owing to an agitation in Bangladesh. Yet, we have released nearly 55 lorries today, though the usual count is over 200 lorries per day from the LC station.”The Bangladeshi importers too are not in a position to receive even the non-perishable export goods, due to the ongoing agitation. The goods cannot be delivered at Rajshahi and Dhaka owing to the jamming of roads by the agitators, the local exporters said. A few importers, selecting an alternative route passing from Sona Masjid in Bangladesh, however have managed to deliver some packets of grains and fruits.” People from both, India and Bangladesh, who are engaged in the import-export trade are troubled owing to the agitation. Mrs Nilima Rani Basak, a resident of Bangladesh, reportedly reached India from Shibganj, after facing great difficulties in the journey. At times, she even had to walk long distances by foot or travel by a rickshaw to cross the immigration check post today. Reportedly, only 28 people arrived in India from Bangladesh today, whereas, 35 people travelled to Bangladesh from India.