Hili land port users start indefinite strike

Five Associations using Hili Land Port in Hakimpur upazila of the district started an indefinite strike yesterday to press home their three-point demand.
The demands are putting an end to giving seal on the manifest of imported goods, harassment by members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and filing of cases by BGB without informing the C&F agents and importers.
Att a press conference held on Sunday, Hili Land port C & F Agent Association, Customs Association, Truck Operators Association, Truck Driver Association and workers Federation threatened to for an indefinite strike if the demands were not met by Tuesday.
 At the conference, the leaders alleged that BGB members started checking import documents since April 27 at Zero Line, killing time. They also harass truckers and helpers at the time of checking documents, they added.
On May 7, the leaders of the associations urged the officials of Joypurhat – BGB Battalion to stop checking of import documents at Zero line, but to no effect, said Shahinur Islam Shahin, general secretary of Hili C&F Agent Association.
 No goods laden truck entered Bangladesh while loading and unloading of goods in the port area remained suspended.
The agitating traders, workers and truckers also staged a demonstration in front of the port yesterday. Later, they submitted a memorandum submitted to Hakimpur the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO).
Jamil Hossain, Port Affairs Secretary of Hili Land Port C & F Association said they will continue strike until their demands are met.
Md Abdur Razzak Tarafdar, commanding officer of Joypurhat BGB 3 Battalion, said they have has taken the initiative to stop importing of goods forging documents.
He, however, refuted the allegation of harassment by BGB members.