Exporters in India and Bangladesh are unhappy with the decision of the West Bengal government to allegedly suspend trade at the Changrabandha border with Bangladesh in Cooch Behar. In relation with the functioning of ports and port-related activities, the Chief Secretary of West Bengal had on 11 May directed authorities concerned to ensure smooth operations on the borders by maintaining the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Traders on both the sides at the Panitanki border with Nepal near Siliguri in Darjeeling district had also alleged the same until a few days ago. However, matters have been sorted out at Panitanki and normal trade, however, resumed there from yesterday, sources said.
“I have received complaints from truckers, who are held up at the Indo-Nepal border in my constituency since 4 June, and apparently the West Bengal police have held up these trucks containing perishable materials owing to alleged verbal order from state government,” Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said in an email to Union home minister Amit Shah on 20 June.
Source: The Statesman
