15 Bangladeshis stuck in India return through Benapole

Fifteen of the 300 Bangladeshis who were stuck in India's Petrapole land port returned home this morning through Benapole check-post.  

They entered the country after receiving NOC from the Deputy High Commission office of Bangladesh in Kolkata.

They will be placed on a 14-day quarantine in a residential hotel in Benapole after completion of formalities.

Ahsan Habib, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Benapole Immigration, said he already received a letter to stop immigration for 14 days.

The 15 Bangladeshis were allowed to return as they got special permission from Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, he said.

It was reported on Monday that around 300 Bangladeshis were stuck in India's Petrapole land port following Bangladesh government's decision to close the border with India due to a huge surge in Covid-19 cases in the neighbouring country.

Most of the Bangladeshis stuck there were either patients or students. They said the border closure should have been announced a few days earlier. However, import and export activities are normal at Benapole port.  

Matiar Rahman, director of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce, said that disinfectants are not being sprayed on Indian trucks inside the port.  The port authorities have not taken any initiative to sanitise them.

Besides, Indian truck drivers are moving freely at Benapole market, putting local people at risk, he added.

Abdul Jalil, acting director of Benapole Land Port, said there were no restrictions on trade activities between the two countries and instructions have been given to keep all activities normal at the port in compliance with hygiene rules.