National Desk :
Import and export trade through Banglabandha land port has been suspended for five days amid fear that the ‘Indian variant ‘of Covid-19 and black fungus may spread in the bordering district.
The suspension was announced in a letter signed by Mehedi Hasan Khan Babla, president of Panchagarh Import- Export association on Sunday.
The trading will resume on June 4, the letter said.
Bangladesh’s border with India has remained shut since April 26 amid a surge in the infection in the neighbouring country to prevent movement of passengers. But trucks carrying cargoes were allowed to operate.
Banglabandha, the country’s only quadrilateral land port, continued trade with India, Nepal and Bhutan even after the border closure.
Meanwhile in India coronavirus surge broke records with detection of the new variants and post-Covid black fungus turning into an epidemic.
Amid this critical situation Tetulia upazila Corona prevention and management committee has issued 14 directives to curb the spread through the port but it was hardly being maintained, locals complained.
Banglabandha UP chairman, Qudrat-e-Khuda Milon said, “We decided to suspend trade after holding a meeting with the District chairman and people concerned with the port”, he said.
The decision was conveyed to the Fulbari Importer-Exporter welfare Association in Jalpaiguri, India through a letter, said president of Panchagarh Import- Export association.
Tetulia Upazila Nirabahi Officer Shohag Chandra said, there is no restriction from the port authority in continuing trade through the port.
“We are taking necessary steps to stem the spread,” he said.
Meanwhile, the government extended the border closure with India again till June 14, with the previous conditions applied.
