The United Tripura Correspondent Anupam Pal: After a prolonged suspension of 20 days, import activities through Kailashahar’s Manu Land Customs have resumed. On the evening of December 16, following administrative intervention, the barricades placed by protesters were removed, allowing the normal exchange of goods to commence from the morning of December 17.
The suspension began on November 27, when the Kailashahar Sanatani Hindu Society staged a protest in front of the Manu Land Customs office. The protest was in response to the arrest of Swami Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sanatani Jagaran Jot, and the alleged systematic persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. During the protest, barricades made of buses were placed on roads adjacent to the customs office, effectively halting the import of goods.
Several political parties and organizations voiced their opinions and participated in the protests. Congress MLA Birjit Singh and others appealed to the administration during the RKAI ground protest, requesting the removal of the barricades to resume import and export activities. The suspension of trade caused severe financial losses to traders and workers alike.
Traders suffered significant economic losses due to the prolonged halt in imports. Local workers, too, faced dire conditions as they lost their daily earnings. A local trader remarked, “The 20-day halt in trade between the two countries caused substantial financial damage to businesses, while workers lost their source of income, facing immense hardship.”
On Monday evening, the administration held discussions with various organizations, ultimately leading to the removal of the barricades. With the resumption of import activities on Tuesday, both traders and workers expressed relief. Many workers were able to return to work, bringing stability back to their families.
The revival of import activities through Manu Land Customs has brought momentum to business operations. However, to prevent such incidents in the future, it is essential for the administration and relevant parties to remain vigilant. Citizens of both countries believe in working together to maintain peaceful and uninterrupted trade relations.
