Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Law-enforcing agencies have decided to provide special security to cargo laden trucks and covered vans to and from the Chittagong port to keep export-import business normal during the non-stop blockade called by BNP-led 20 party alliance, officials said.
The decision was taken at a meeting with the representatives of different trade bodies and transport operators held in the Police Headquarters in the city on Tuesday chaired by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Md Asaduzzaman.
Md Asaduzzaman took over charge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner on Wednesday.
According to the decision, covered vans will carry export-import cargoes twice a day from Dhaka to Chittagong sea port under special police protection. Similarly, the vehicles will be given escorts on their return journey from Chittagong to Dhaka.
Under police protection, the first slot will start at 9am and the second slot at 9pm from the Signboard area on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway.
“We have decided to offer special police protection to vehicles carrying export and import goods on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway during nonstop blockade,” Md Jalal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Additional Inspector General (Media) of Police Headquarters told The New Nation on Wednesday.
According to the decision, he said, vehicles will start their journey under police escorts to and from Dhaka and Chittagong.
“The Highway Police will coordinate the task with the help of the concerned trade bodies and police stations and transport operators,” he said, adding “Police will intensify their petrol at various troublesome areas of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to ensure smooth transportation of goods and safe journey of the passengers.”
When asked, he said, the Police Department has come out to provide support to the businesses and the country’s economy.
Welcoming the Police decision, M Shahidullah Azim, Vice-President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said, The non-stop blockade has hit the country’s external trade especially export business as most exporters showed little interest to send their products in fear of arson attacks during the blockade.
Besides, the transport operators have also suspended their operation on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in the wake of street violence posing further threat to the shipment of export commodities.
“We were passing our days with fear and anxiety. But, the step being taken by the police will definitely boost our courage in sending export cargoes to Chittagong port,” Azim said.
Shahidullah Azim, however, said, the exporters are concerned over the renewed political unrest in the country as it is likely to take a heavy toll on the readymade garment industry (RMG).
Frustrated by the latest development in the country’s political arena, the BGMEA leader said, “It is taking place at a time when the sector is coming out from the adverse impact suffered in 2013 and negative image created by factory disasters.
Buyers, who shifted their orders earlier because of the twin causes, have begun to return to Bangladesh with bigger buying orders. They may go back soon if another round of uncertainty looms, he noted.
“We have suspended our operation for the last two days as violence engulfed throughout the country centering the non-stop blockade,” said Rustom Ali Khan, General Secretary of Truck and Covered Van Owners’ Association.
He added: Now police have decided to provide security to the cargo laden vehicles paving the way of re-launching our service.
Rustom Ali mentioned that about 600 trucks and covered vans faced arson attack during 62 days hartal and blockades enforced by BNP-led opposition alliance in 2013.
Law-enforcing agencies have decided to provide special security to cargo laden trucks and covered vans to and from the Chittagong port to keep export-import business normal during the non-stop blockade called by BNP-led 20 party alliance, officials said.
The decision was taken at a meeting with the representatives of different trade bodies and transport operators held in the Police Headquarters in the city on Tuesday chaired by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Md Asaduzzaman.
Md Asaduzzaman took over charge of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner on Wednesday.
According to the decision, covered vans will carry export-import cargoes twice a day from Dhaka to Chittagong sea port under special police protection. Similarly, the vehicles will be given escorts on their return journey from Chittagong to Dhaka.
Under police protection, the first slot will start at 9am and the second slot at 9pm from the Signboard area on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway.
“We have decided to offer special police protection to vehicles carrying export and import goods on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway during nonstop blockade,” Md Jalal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Additional Inspector General (Media) of Police Headquarters told The New Nation on Wednesday.
According to the decision, he said, vehicles will start their journey under police escorts to and from Dhaka and Chittagong.
“The Highway Police will coordinate the task with the help of the concerned trade bodies and police stations and transport operators,” he said, adding “Police will intensify their petrol at various troublesome areas of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway to ensure smooth transportation of goods and safe journey of the passengers.”
When asked, he said, the Police Department has come out to provide support to the businesses and the country’s economy.
Welcoming the Police decision, M Shahidullah Azim, Vice-President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said, The non-stop blockade has hit the country’s external trade especially export business as most exporters showed little interest to send their products in fear of arson attacks during the blockade.
Besides, the transport operators have also suspended their operation on Dhaka-Chittagong highway in the wake of street violence posing further threat to the shipment of export commodities.
“We were passing our days with fear and anxiety. But, the step being taken by the police will definitely boost our courage in sending export cargoes to Chittagong port,” Azim said.
Shahidullah Azim, however, said, the exporters are concerned over the renewed political unrest in the country as it is likely to take a heavy toll on the readymade garment industry (RMG).
Frustrated by the latest development in the country’s political arena, the BGMEA leader said, “It is taking place at a time when the sector is coming out from the adverse impact suffered in 2013 and negative image created by factory disasters.
Buyers, who shifted their orders earlier because of the twin causes, have begun to return to Bangladesh with bigger buying orders. They may go back soon if another round of uncertainty looms, he noted.
“We have suspended our operation for the last two days as violence engulfed throughout the country centering the non-stop blockade,” said Rustom Ali Khan, General Secretary of Truck and Covered Van Owners’ Association.
He added: Now police have decided to provide security to the cargo laden vehicles paving the way of re-launching our service.
Rustom Ali mentioned that about 600 trucks and covered vans faced arson attack during 62 days hartal and blockades enforced by BNP-led opposition alliance in 2013.
