CITU-INTUC strike affects Indo-Bangla border trade

Basirhat, Mar 29: The International Trade with Bangladesh through Ghojadanga corridor near here in North 24 Parganas remained suspended for five days today due to an on-going agitation of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) labourers since March 25. The INTUC workers have been blocking the roads at Itinda Kalibari, which leads to the border area, following rift with the CITU workers. Official sources said more than 1000 goods-carrying trucks remained stranded on the three km bridge connecting Icchamati river at Sangrampur here.

Custom officials at Ghojadanga apprehended that the strike has incurred revenue loss of about Rs 15 lakh so far. Basirhat Sub-Divisional Officer Apala Sett said efforts were on to remove the impasse. The dispute began early this month after CITU workers opposed the INTUC's demand to load and unload the trucks at the border. While the CITU labourers resumed their works early this week, the INTUC supporters went on with their agitation for an indefinite period.

UNI