BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 8th December 2024: The Exporters and Importers Association of Kailashahar Sub-division in Unakoti District, Tripura, has written to Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha, calling for swift intervention to address the issues hindering international trade at the Manu Land Customs Station (LCS).
The association explained that recent protests in Kailashahar, triggered by an incident involving ISKCON member Chinmay Krishna Das in Bangladesh, led to the obstruction of operations at the Manu LCS. Protesters blocked the port by setting up bamboo barricades, resulting in the suspension of trade since November 27.
In their letter, the association noted that despite the ongoing disruption, neither the Central nor the State Government has officially closed the port, making the halt in trade legally questionable. They pointed out that when similar obstructions occurred at Agartala’s Akhaura LCS, local authorities took immediate action to remove the hindrances and allowed trade to resume promptly. However, in Kailashahar, the situation remains unresolved.
The association highlighted the severe impact of the port closure on the local community, with over a hundred families—comprising port workers, vehicle operators, loaders, and unloaders—relying on the border trade for their livelihood. The disruption has left these families struggling to make ends meet.
The letter also mentioned the significant financial loss to the government, estimating a daily loss of Rs 25 lakh due to the ongoing trade suspension. In light of these circumstances, the association has requested immediate action to remove the barricades and resume trade, urging the government to ensure equal treatment for all trade ports in the state and the country.
