Trade between Tripura and Bangladesh suspended

, Nov 30: Trade between

and

was suspended through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Akhaura here due to indefinite strike called by Agartala Exporters-Importers Association (AEIA) besides strike and violence in the neighbouring country.

Secretary of AEIA, Habul Biswas said today the strike was called to protest imposition of high rate of tariff in 'loading and unloading' by the Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC). The multi-facility world standard ICP was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in presence of Bangladesh Home Minister Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir on November 17 last.

Biswas alleged that the trade between the two countries has come down due to the high rate of tariff which needs to be revised. He claimed that the matter was taken up with the state Industries Minister Jitendra Chowdhury who stated that it was dealt by the Central government.

Biswas said, "Earlier labour charge for loading and unloading each cement bag was only Rs 2, but now CWC has increased it to Rs 5.80. Similarly, unloading of a stone chips-carrying truck was only Rs 700 and now it is Rs 1,700." Meanwhile, the Agartala-Dhaka bus service was also suspended for indefinite period following violence and strike in neighbouring Bangladesh, official sources said today.

Tripura Road Transport Corporation (TRTC) officials said the Dhaka-Agartala bus has not been plying since Sunday last following strike and violence in Bangladesh. Managing Director of TRTC, Rabindra Reang, said in view of the current political turmoil in the neighbouring country, plying of the Moitree service from Agartala and Shyamali service from Dhaka has become uncertain.

PTI