Strike threatened at Benapole port

A group of port users’ organisations today threatened to impose a strike at Benapole land port alleging “harassment” by the border troopers.

Seven port users' organisation of Benapole drew up the decision at a meeting today, reports our local correspondent.

“Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) men harass importers unnecessarily by seizing their goods even when those have already been checked by customs officials,”said Benapole Customs Clearing and Forwarding Agents Association President Mofizur Rahman Sazan.

The decision was taken to protest such harassments, he said, adding that “their (BGB) responsibility is to seize smuggled goods and not legally imported goods”.

The port users also complained that due to the harassment, importers have turned away from Benapole port. They allege, it has impacted negatively on the revenue targets.

Lt Col Ariful Hoque, commanding officer of BGB-49 Battalion, refuted such allegations and said BGB “does not harass importers”.